

































































































































































































COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 






































HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 


OF 


THE TOWN OF WISBECH. 




































































































































































































































AN 




HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 


OF THE 

ANCIENT TOWN AND PORT 





CH, 


IN THE ISLE OF ELY, IN THE COUNTY OF CAMBRIDGE, 


AND OF THE CIRCUMJACENT 

TOWNS AND VILLAGES, 

THE DRAINAGE OF THE GREAT^LEVEL OF THE FENS, 


THE 

ORIGIN OF THE ROYAL FRANCHISE OF THE ISLE OF ELY, &c. 


WITH ENGRAVINGS. 


BY 

WILLIAM WATSON, Esq. F.A.S. 

>1 


Sic toties versa es fortuna locorum 
Vidi ego, quod fuerat quondam solidissima tellus, 

Esse fretum, vidi factas, ex aequore terras. 

Ovid’s Met. xv. 261. 


WISBECH: 

PRINTED BY AND FOR H. AND J. LEACH. 

SOLD ALSO BY RIVINGTONS, AND LONGMAN AND CO., LONDON. 

1827. 








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THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 

» r • • % 

THE 

EARL OF HARDWICKE, K.G. 

LORD LIEUTENANT AND CUSTOS ROTULORUM OF THE 
COUNTY OF CAMBRIDGE, 

HIGH STEWARD OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, 

ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE CORPORATION 
OF BEDFORD LEVEL, F.R.S. and A.S. 

fyc. fyc. 


Your Lordship, it is well known, has 
at all times taken a lively interest in the welfare and 
improvement of the Fens in general, and particularly of 
the Town of which the History is attempted in the fol¬ 
lowing pages. The owners and occupiers of this country 
are under great obligations to your Lordship for your 
peculiar attention to their interests on all occasions, and 
they duly appreciate your recent exertions in Parliament, 
whereby they will in future be relieved from many 
heavy burthens to which they were formerly liable, in 
carrying through the two houses the requisite bills for 
the drainage and security of these uncertain Districts. 


VI 


DEDICATION. 


Under what more appropriate auspices, therefore, than 
your Lordship’s patronage, could this humble endeavour 
meet the public eye ? 

The favours received from your Lordship in earlier life 
confirm the propriety of the dedication of this volume to 
your Lordship, and duty and inclination alike influence me. 

I thankfully acknowledge your Lordship’s condescen¬ 
sion, in becoming the patron of an undertaking which 
stands but too much in need of powerful protection. 
I shall ever venerate the public and private virtues 
by which you are as much distinguished as by your 
noble birth ; and earnestly washing for a long continuance 
of health and felicity to your Lordship, I have the 
honour to subscribe myself, with the utmost respect 
and attachment, 

My Lord, 

Your Lordship’s sincere 

and most obedient Servant, 

WILLIAM WATSON. 


PREFACE. 


Although topographical histories are in general dull 
and uninteresting, still for some readers they have a 
sort of relish belonging to them, which is to be attributed 
rather to the love we feel for the place of our birth or 
long residence, than to any real value in the narrative. 
All ranks and conditions of men naturally wish to know 
something of the first state of scenes endeared to them 
by habit and many pleasing recollections, and if fixed by 
providence in situations remote from the home of their 
earlier years, every account of what were once the haunts 
of their youth speaks at once to the inmost feelings, and 
with magic influence revives associations which time and 
distance had repressed but not destroyed. No person 
has hitherto, to my knowledge, given himself the trouble 
of inquiring into the ancient history of the town of 
Wisbech, which undoubtedly is a place of considerable 
antiquity, and in former times could boast of being 
dignified with a castle. The condition of places we 
know is subject to continual vicissitudes, ebbing and 
flowing in regard to trade, extent of buildings, and 
number of inhabitants, which the History of Wisbech 
will exemplify. Having lately held the chief annual 





PREFACE. 

appointment in the corporation of the town, conferred 
upon me for the rather unusual period of two succes¬ 
sive years, I considered it a part of my duty to 
examine the ancient records belonging to the body 
corporate. I undertook the task, a pleasing one to me, 
of methodizing and arranging such records, and in my 
progress discovered that a tolerably regular series of 
transactions was continued from the year 1379, when 
an establishment for a religious guild, was there 
formed, down to the present period. Of these records, 
after having arranged and translated them, I made an 
index, which I presented to the capital burgesses: 
from this occurrence the idea of collecting materials 
for a history of the town afterwards suggested itself. 
Thus, what at first served as an amusement insensibly 
grew beneath my hands to its present form. The 
proceedings hereinafter detailed relative to the guild 
and corporation are extracted from those records. The 
history of the castle, church, and other objects, has 
been drawn from the best and most authentic sources, 
both printed and manuscript, within my reach ; and by 
way of further variety, a short account is introduced 
of that important tract of country called “ the Great 
Level of the Fens.” I am sensible that various opinions 
have been entertained as to the original state of this ex¬ 
tensive district, and especially as to the people by whom 
the first efforts were made for rendering it fit for the habi¬ 
tation of man; and that many famed antiquaries think 
the works usually attributed to the Romans were 
constructed by the Icem, or other native tribes. That 
stupendous work at the other extremity of the country, 
the fosse or trench of which is called by common 
people “ The Devil’s Ditch,” is an embankment so vast 
as to excite the astonishment of those who behold it, 


PREFACE. 


IX 


and is supposed to have been raised by the Iceni, and if 
so, it shews them to have been capable of operations of 
great magnitude. In all questions of this nature much 
must be left to conjecture, no record of the early state 
of the country having come down to us. It has been 
my endeavour to account for the various changes in the 
level on simple principles and causes, without having 
recourse to preternatural ones, and the result of such 
inquiries and opinions is now offered to the public 
with feelings of. unfeigned deference and respect. Very 
little of originality or novelty will be found in the follow¬ 
ing sheets, indeed, it is not worthy to be called a history, 
but an attempt towards one, with a view to stimulate 
some person of greater ability to present the public with 
a full and complete history. The design has been to 
produce a faithful, correct, and authentic record of the 
persons and things treated of. No other praise is sought 
than that of industry and exactness of description, and 
it will be felt more than a compensation, if no unfavour¬ 
able judgment should be passed upon this humble per¬ 
formance, for although most feelingly conscious of my 
own incompetency, I was still unwilling to let the 
materials which I had collected be dispersed and lost, 
and therefore ventured to submit the result to public 
notice. In arranging and classing the different portions 
of the work, it was thought best to separate and divide 
them under three heads, first, the history of the Great 
Level; secondly, that part which constitutes the isle of 
Ely ; and lastly, the ancient and present state of Wisbech, 
with the castle and other public buildings and occurren¬ 
ces. I am not conscious I have omitted any thing which 
appeared to merit attention, and which might be deemed 
consistent with the nature of such a publication ; but 
I am at the same time sensible that, notwithstanding 


X 


PREFACE. 


every care to collect all the material information, many 
things may have escaped me. I acknowledge myself 
to be indebted to other writers for many observations, 
and although I may not have distinguished all of them 
by quotation marks, because in some cases I have altered 
or abridged the language, I trust my readers will pardon 
the omission, and accept the work in the same spirit of 
benevolence and good temper that has guided the pen of 
the compiler, and now prompted the publication. Whilst 
fully aware that I ought rather to deprecate the severity 
of criticism than to court and expect its praise, I must be 
allowed to cherish the humble hope that the work will 
not in its details be found wholly destitute of local 
interest, however defective it may be in style. Although 
not a native of Wisbech, I have resided there more than 
a quarter of a century, and have always received the 
most marked attention from the inhabitants and neisfh- 
bourhood, which it affords me sincere pleasure thus 
publicly to acknowledge ; indeed, a sense of the obli¬ 
gation 1 am under to them has been among the pressing 
motives to this undertaking, which may be the means 
in some measure of drawing forth this spirited town from 
undeserved obscurity—a town which, though not able to 
boast of mineral productions, magnificent remains of 
antiquity, or splendid works of modern art, may yet 
justly lay claim to many charitable foundations of 
extensive and permanent utility; to luxuriant pastures 
and rich corn fields, spreading around in all directions ; 
to an intelligent, loyal, and rapidly increasing population, 
and to a port, yearly improving in activity and importance, 
and well adapted by its numerous shipping to convey 
to and from the metropolis and the northern parts of the 
kingdom, produce or merchandize conducive to general 
convenience and advantage. One task remains, a 


PREFACE. 


xi 


pleasing one, to offer my tribute of respectful gratitude 
to the nobility and numerous friends who have honoured 
this volume by their names and patronage; to many I 
am indebted for the receipt of information and assistance, 
and I cannot forbear expressing my cordial thanks to 
William Peckover, esq. for various useful observations ; 
I have also to make my acknowledgments to James 
Usill, esq. the late town bailiff, as well as to his suc¬ 
cessor, William Orton, esq. for the kindness with which 
they each offered to me the inspection and loan of the 
corporation records and indexes. I am proud to acknow¬ 
ledge how much I am obliged to my friend the reverend 
Jeremiah Jackson, for his very useful aid in the prose¬ 
cution of the work whilst in the press, especially when 
other business prevented my own personal attention. 
Hugh Jackson, Steed Girdlestone, and John Wing, 
esquires, favoured me w r ith much valuable information 
respecting a number of facts with which I could not 
otherwise so easily have become acquainted. My friend 
Mr. Abraham Usill has also shewn much interest in the 
work, but to mention distinctly the names of all those 
to whom I am under obligations, would have the appear¬ 
ance of ostentation; I, therefore, beg to express my 
thanks generally, and to say that I owe much to many 
private friends not particularized, who yet are dis¬ 
tinguished by literature and talents. In the course of 
the work, I have spoken in terms of praise of several 
individuals, for which I trust I shall not be accused 
of adulation, for I firmly believe each deserving of 
more than I have said, and all that I have stated is 
transcribed from public documents ; and however I may 
personally respect those characters, I have not the most 
distant view to either gain or applause from any party, 
by having thus introduced their names with the public 
testimony of their respective services. 


Xll 


PREFACE. 


I shall beg leave to conclude this preface in the words 
of Addison, expressive as they are of views and feelings 
analogous in no small degree with my own, in respect to 
the present undertaking : “ Custom has a wonderful 
“ efficacy in making every thing pleasant. What was 
“ at first an exercise becomes at length an entertain- 
“ ment. I have heard one of the greatest geniuses 
“ this age has produced, (Dr. Atterbury) who had 
“ been trained up in all the polite studies of antiquity, 
“ assure me, on his being obliged to search into several 
“ rolls and records, that notwithstanding such an 
“ employment was at first dry and irksome to him, he 
“ at last took an incredible pleasure in it.” 

Spectator , vol. vi. No. 447. 


/ 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

1 Ancient Inhabitants of the Country. 

7 The Great Level in its original state. 

9 The arrival of the Romans. 

10 The embankment of the Country. 

12 The arrival of the Saxons. 

13 The decay of Embankments by reason 
of intestine troubles, and condition of 
the Country after such decay. 

15 How it was regained. 

2# The Rise and Course of the Rivers 
passing through the Level, the grand 
Outfall whereof was at Wisbech. 

22 Causes leading to the decay of the 
original Outfall at Wisbech. 

28 The effect of the Cut at Littleport 
Chayre. 

30 Ancient proceedings of Commission¬ 
ers of Sewers. 

39 The alteration in the course of the 
Nene by Bishop Morton’s Leam. 

41 Application for a general Drainage of 
the Level. 

44 Undertaking by the Earl of Bedford. 

47 Act of 15th Charles II. for constitu¬ 
ting a Corporation to settle the Drain¬ 
age of the Level. 


PAGE 

51 Division of the Great Level into three 
Districts. 

53 As to the Middle and South Levels. 

59 As to the North Level. 

83 The Board of the Bedford Level 
Corporation. 

85 The Isle of Ely. 

88 How it became entitled to its privileges. 

93 Its defence against William the Con¬ 
queror. 

95 How the King obtained possession. 

96 How it became a Bislioprick. 

102 On Counties Palatine and Fran¬ 
chises. 

105 The Officers of the Isle, 

108 The present state of the Isle. 

109 The names of the Chief or High 
Bailiffs of the Isle. 

Ill Ancient and present state of the 
Town of Wisbech. 

123 The ancient Castle. 

134 Transactions relative to Wisbech. 

143 Account of the Trinity Guild. 

162 Dissolution of the Guild. 

174 King Edward Vlth’s Charter. 

187 Proceedings of the Body Corporate 
after the Charter. 



XIV 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE PAGE 

220 Defence of tlie Isle of Ely in the 392 Volunteer Corps and Local Militia* 


time of the Civil War. 

226 Return of a Burgess to Parliament. 
228 Mode of electing Capital Burgesses. 
234 The Church. 

272 The Parish Register. 

277 The Bridge. 

283 The Guild Hall. 

285 The Grammar School. 

292 The Gaol. 

295 The Shire Hall. 

— The Market Place. 

298 The Corn Exchange. 

299 The News and Billiard Rooms. 

— The Cattle Market. 

300 The Custom House. 

301 The Port. 

313 The Canal. 

315 The Workhouse. 

316 Public Charities. 

320 Other Charities. 

335 Religious Establishments. 

342 District Committee for Society for 
Promoting Christian Knowledge. 

346 Propagation of the Gospel in 
Foreign Parts. 

347 Bible Society. 

348 Court of Requests. 

349 Literary Society. 

350 ) -p| ie p ost Office, &c. 

351 S 

353 Lighting and Watching the Town, 
and of the Markets and Fairs. 

355 Population. 

357 Races. 

366 Land Tax. 

367 Particulars relating to the former 
state of the Streets. 

371 Act for improving the Town. 

372 Turnpike Roads. 

378 Chronological account of miscel¬ 
laneous occurrences from a.d. 1000 
to 1827. 


398 Riots at Littleport and Ely. 

402 Proclamation of George IV. 

404 Coronation of George IV. 

411 Names of the Aldermen of the Guild 
and Town Bailiffs from 1379 to 1826. 
419 Agriculture. 

428 Biography. 

446 1 rincipal Families in Cambridgeshire 
in 1673. 

447 High Sheriffs. 

448 Plants. 

450 Parishes and Hundreds in the Isle, 
with their population. 

451 Wisbech St. Mary’s. 

460 Guyliirn, Tholomas Drove and Mur- 
row. 

463 Leverington. 

472 Parson Drove. 

479 Newton. 

487 Tid St. Giles. 

493 Elm. 

510 Emneth and Hagbeach Hall. 

531 Outwell. 

541 Upwell. 

550 Welney and Suspension Bridge. 

559 Thorney. 

565 WTiittlesea. 

570 Whittlesea Mere, 

573 Chatteris. 

581 Doddington. 

586 March. 

598 Wimblington. 

599 Benwick. 

— Manea. 

600 Welch’s Dam. 

602 Walsoken. 

608 West Walton. 

615 Walpole St. Peter’s. 

626 --—Andrew's. 

634 Terrington. 

657 Appendix. 



Directions for placing the Engravings . 


PAGE 


'The Town of Wisbecli from the North Brink ....to face the Title. 

• Map of the Old Course of the Ouse and Nene.. 

<-Bedford Level .... 

-River Nene and North Level, with the proposed Lines of 

Drainage into Crabb Hole by Mr. Rennie... 

'Plan of the proposed Bridge and Embankment at Sutton Wash... 

' Map of the Isle of Ely .... 

View of Wisbech Crescent. 

-- Castle. 

Representation of the Corporation and ancient Guild Seals, &c. 

View of the Church..... 

Representation of Roman Bricks ... 

View of the ancient Hall at Newton . 

-Dunton Hall. 

-Hagbeacli Hall.... 




20 

y 

51 

v'' 

59 

J 

80 

V'' 

85 

\/ 


Ill 
134 / 
162 
234 v 
370 V 
479 K 
490 # 
512 y-' 


Portraits of Sir H. Peyton’s Family.. 526 ^ 

View of Emnetli Lodge...... 530 V 

- Beaupre Hall .... 541 w" 

- the Suspension Bridge at Welney... 553 

-intended Chapel of Ease... 660 

































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SUBSCRIBERS. 


Adam William George, Esq. Lincoln’s Inn 
Albin Mr. Thomas, Spalding 
Anderton James, Esq. Lincoln’s Inn 
Andrews Mr. Peter, Parson Drove 
Archbould Mr. R. Wisbech 
Archer Thomas, Esq. Ely 
Ashley Mr. John, Deeping Fen 
Aveling Mr. Thomas, Elm 

Bedford His Grace the Duke of, 3 copies 
Bentinck Rt. Hon. Lord William Cavendish, Governor- 
General of India 
Bailey Mr. John, Thorney 
Barlow Mr. Benjamin, Ely 
Bates Mr. Edward, Huntingdon 
Baxter Mr. Richard, Wisbech 
Baxter Mr. William, ditto 
Beatley Mr. William, ditto 
Beck Mr. Peter, ditto 
Bell Mr. William, ditto 
Bellamy James, Esq. ditto 

Bentham Rev. James, Vicar of West Bradenham, Norfolk 

b 



SUBSCRIBERS. 


xviii 

Birkbeck Henry, Esq. Norwich 

Blackburn Rev. John, Attercliffe 

Blencowe J. P. Esq. Lynn 

Boston Book Society 

Boucher Mr. Charles, Wisbech 

Bousfield William Brackenbury, M.D. Horncastle 

Bouverie Rev. John, Rector of Ticl St. Mary’s 

Bowker Thomas, Esq. Whittlesea 

Bramston T. G. Esq. Skreens, Chelmsford 

Broadley John, Esq. South Ella, near Hull 

Broughton Thomas, Esq. Boston 

Burman Mr. John, Jun. Wisbech St. Mary’s 

Cater R. A. Esq. Collector of His Majesty’s- Customs 
at the Port of Wisbech 

Chaplin Charles, Esq. M.P. Blankney, 2 copies 

Chapman Mr. John, Wisbech 

Chatfield Rev. Robert, LL.D. Vicar of Chatteris 

Cheap Rev. John, M.A. Rector of Wimpole 

Cheshire Mr. Thomas, Peterborough 

Chester Rev. William, Rector of Walpole St. Peter’s 

Cholmeley Rev. H. King’s College, Cambridge 

Christopherson Rev. J. R. Elm 

Clark Mrs. Gedney Hill 

Clarke Mr. Robert,. Wisbech 

Clarkson Barnard, Esq. Kirkham Abbey, Yorkshire. 
Claxton Mr. Samuel, Wisbech 
Claxton Mr. William, Ely 
Cleeve Mr. William, Wisbech 

Colvile Sir Charles Henry, Duffield Hall, Derbyshire. 
2 copies 

Colvile Rev. Nathaniel, D,D. Lawshall, Suffolk 
Colvile Frederick, Esq. Barton Hall, Warwickshire 
Colvile Rev. Augustus, Upper Wimpole Street, 2 copies 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


xix 


Colvile Henry, Esq. Captain 3d Guards, 2 copies 
Colvile Rev. Nathaniel, M.A. Rector of Great and Little 
Livermere 

Colvile Nathaniel, Esq. M.A. Livermere, Suffolk 

Cooch Edward, Esq. Baldock 

Cooch Mr. Edward, Wisbech 

Creswell Francis, Jun. Esq. Lynn 

Cross Mr. John, West Walton 

Curwen Mr. J. C. Wisbech 

Dawbarn Mr. R. B. Wisbech 
Dawson Mr. J. J. Lynn 
Denston Mr. William, Wisbech 
Dobson Mr. William, Downham 

Dolben Sir English, Bart. Finedon Hall, Northamptonshire 

Dow Miss Anne Graham, Needham Hall, Elm 

Dow Miss, Upper Edmonton 

Dow Rev. David, Cathcart Manse, near Glasgow 

Dowson Mr. John, Wisbech 

Drake Mr. Francis, Whittlesea 

Draycott George D. Esq. Cambridge Regiment 

Ely Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of, 2 copies 
Edwards Rev. Edward, M.A. F.A.S. Lynn 
Egarr Mr. John, Terrington St. John’s 
Elsden Edmund, Esq. Lynn 
Elsden Henry, Esq. Congham 
Elsey Mr. Johnson, Wisbech 
Evans Hugh Robert, Esq. Ely 

Fawssett Major, Townley Castle, Ramsgate, 2 copies 
Fawssett Rev. Wm. Rector of a Mediety of West Walton 
Fellowes W. H. Esq. M.P. Ramsey Abbey, 2 copies 
Flowers Mr. Frederick, Boston 

b 2 


XX 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


Folkes Sir W. H. J. B. Bart. Hillington Hall, Norfolk 

Forbes William, Esq. Sleaford 

Foster Mr. Thomas, Newton 

Foster Mr. Samuel, Wisbech 

Fraser Alexander, Esq. M.D. ditto 

Freeman Mr. Charles, West Walton 

Freeman Rev. Mr. Alwalton, Hunts. 

Freeman Mr. Richard, Wisbech 

Fretwell Rev. Thomas, Rector of Raithby, Lincolnshire 
Fydell Samuel Richard, Esq. Tickencote, Rutland 

Gardner William Dunn, Esq. Chatteris 

Garfit Thomas, Esq. Spilsby 

Gaye Robert, Esq. Wisbech 

Gibbons Mr. John, Lutton 

Girdlestone Steed, Esq. Wisbech 

Girdlestone John, Esq. ditto 

Goldfrap Rev. F. Clenchwarton, near Lynn 

Gray Nathan, Esq. March 

Gronow Mr. Joseph, Wisbech 

Grounds Mr. Thomas, ditto 

Guest Mr. George, ditto 

Gunnis Mr. Jackson, Spilsby 

Gurney Richard Hanbury, Esq. Keswick 

Gurney Joseph John, Esq. Earlham 

Gurney Daniel, Esq. F.A.S. Lynn 

Hardwicke Rt. Hon. the Earl of, K.G. Lord Lieutenant and 
Custos Rotulorum of the County of Cambridge, 3 copies 
Haggitt Rev. John 

Hall Rev. T. G. Magdalen College, Cambridge 
Hankinson Rev. Robert, Bilney Lodge, Norfolk 
Hannath Mr. Joseph, Tid St. Giles 
Hardwicke Robert, Esq. M.D. Wisbech 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


xxi 


Hardwicke Major-General, F.R.S. & L. R.A.S. 
Hardwicke Rev. William, Rector of Outwell, Norfolk, 
and Lavington, Lincolnshire 
Hardy Mr. Simon, Wisbech 
Harrison Mr. James, ditto 
Harvey Mr. Henry, Norwich 
Henley H. H. Esq. Sandringham Hall, Norfolk 
Hepburn Mrs. Mary, Elm Close, Romsey, Hants. 
Herbert C. P. Esq. Baldock 
Herring Mr. Henry, Wisbech 
Herring William, Esq. St. Giles’s, Norwich 
Hill Mr. John, Controller of His Majesty’s Customs at 
the Port of Wisbech 
Hilliard Mr. Samuel, Lynn 
Hodson Mr. James, Cambridge 
Holditch Rev. Hamnett, Caius College, Cambridge 
Hollway J. P. Esq. Boston 
Holmes Rev. T. P. Wisbech 
Holmes Rev. William, ditto 
Holmes Mr. J. P. Alconbury, Hunts. 

Holmes Mr. James, Huntingdon 
Hopkinson William, Esq. Stamford 
Hoseason Thomas, Esq. Banklands, Norfolk 

Ingilby Sir W. A. Bart. M.P. Ripley Castle, Yorkshire 

Jackson Hugh, Esq. Wisbech 

Jackson Rev. Jeremiah, M.A. Vicar of Elm-cum-Emneth 

Jackson Mr. Edward, Wisbech 

Jarvis L. W. Esq. Lynn 

Jecks Mr. William, Wisbech 

Jeffery Mr. Christopher, Peterborough 

Jenyns Rev. G. L. Prebendary of Ely 

Jenyns Charles, Esq. Temple, London 


XXII 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


Jobson Rev. Abraham, D.D. Vicar of Wisbech 
Johnson Rev. Maurice, D.D. Spalding 
Johnson John, Esq. Wisbech 
Johnson John, Esq. Leverington, 2 copies 
Jones Richard, Esq. London, 2 copies 
Jump William, Esq. Wisbech 

Kildare Hon. and Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of 

King Rev. R. J. Wisbech 

Kingston Mr. Charles, Sutton St. Edmund’s 

Lake Rev. Atwill, Rector of a Mediety of West Walton 

Lane Frederick, Esq. Lynn 

Lawrence Joseph, Esq. ditto 

Leach Mr. James, Wisbech 

Leach Mr. Matthew, ditto 

Leach Mr. James, Jun. Vauxhall 

Leahair Mr. Abraham, Leverington 

Lee James, Esq. Upwell 

Lee Miss, ditto 

Lefever Mr. George, Wisbech 

Lenny Mr. J. G. Bury St. Edmund’s 

Manners Rt. Hon. Lord Charles Somerset, M.P. 

Mair Rev. William, Newton 
Major Rev. J. R. Wisbech 
Marriott Mr. Thomas, Guyhirn 
Marris Mr. Robert, Wisbech 
Marshall Joseph, Esq. Elm 
Marshall Mr. William, Parson Drove 
Marshall Mr. William, Ely 
Maule Mrs. John, Huntingdon 
Metcalfe Rev. William, Ely 
Metcalfe Charles, Esq. Wisbech 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Millers Rev. George, Ely 
Moore Mr. Thomas, White Hall, Wisbech 
Morley William, Esq. Peterborough 
Morris Captain George, R.N. Elm 
Mortlock William, Esq. Cambridge 
Morton Mr. Henry, Wisbech 
Mozley Mr. Henry, Derby 
Mugridge Mr. Edward, Lynn 

Newcomb Mr. Richard, Stamford 
Newcomb Mr. Richard, Jun. ditto 
Newham Mr. William, Lynn 
Newton Mr. Isaac, Wisbech 
Nicholls Henry James, Esq. ditto 
Noble Mr. Joseph, Hull, 2 copies 
Noble Mr. John, Boston 
Norman Rev. Henry, Tid St. Giles 

Osborne Rt. Hon. Lord Francis Godolphin, M.P. 
Orton Thomas, Esq. March 
Orton William, Esq. Wisbech 
Oswin Richard, Esq. ditto 

Page Jonathan, Esq. Ely 

Palmer Mrs. Jane, Wisbech 

Palmer Mr. J. B. ditto 

Pate Robert Francis, Esq. ditto 

Peck Mr. John, Parson Drove 

Peckover Jonathan, Esq. Wisbech 

Peckover William, Esq. F.A.S. ditto 

Peckover Daniel, Esq. Bradford 

Peckover Algernon, Esq. F.L.S. Wisbech 

Peed Mr. John, Whittlesea 

Pennant David, Esq. Downing, Flintshire 


xxiii 


XXIV 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


Peyton Sir Henry, Bart. Bicester Park, Oxfordshire 

Peyton Henry, Esq. ditto 

Peyton Rev. Algernon, Rector of Doddington 

Phillips T. B. Esq. Louth 

Pollard Rev. Richard, Wisbech 

Pratt Mr. William, March 

Pryme George, Esq. Cambridge 

Pugh Rev. William, Wentworth 

Rutland His Grace the Duke of, K.G. 3 copies 
Russel Rt. Hon. Lord John, M.P* 

Rashdall Mr. John, Louth 

Rawnsley Rev. T. H. Rector of Halton and Falkinghanx 

Rawnsley Joseph, Esq. Navy Office, London 

Rayner William, Esq. Wisbech 

Redin Mr. William, Washington, America, 2 copies 

Reed Mr. George, Wisbech 

Rennie George, Esq. London 

Rumball Mr. Josiah, Wisbech 

Sandiford Rev. Peter, D.D. Rector of Newton and 
Fulmodeston 

Sandy Mr. William, Walsoken 

Sargant Mr. Daniel, Whittlesea 

Scott Mrs. Wisbech 

Schultz Lieut. G. A. R.N. Wisbech 

Sculthorpe Mr. John, North Lynn 

Shaw Miss, Norwich 

Sheepshanks Mrs. Trefusis, Cornwall 

Shepherd Mrs. Richard, Wisbech 

Shilton Mr. R. P. Southwell 

Skelton Mr. William, Sutton Washway 

Smallfield Mrs. Hackney 

Smith Benjamin, Esq. Horbling, Lincolnshire 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


XXV 


Smith Mr. James, Wisbech 

Spalding Permanent Subscription Library 

Spooner Thomas, Esq. Ely 

Squier Mr. William, Wisbech 

Squire Mr. Edward, ditto 

Stanton Mr. Stephen, Leverington 

Stear Mr. Thomas, Wisbech 

Stevens Mrs. ditto 

Stevens Mr. William, ditto 

Stevens Mr. William, Sutton Washway 

Stone Mr. Norwich 

Storks Henry, Esq. Sergeant at Law, Chief Justice of 
the Isle of Ely 

Sutton Rev. Charles, D.D. Norwich 
Swaine Captain Spelman, R.N. Wisbech 
Swansborough Mr. William, ditto 

Taylor Mr. John, Ashwelthorpe, Norfolk, 2 copies 
Thompson Mr. J. S. Hilton, Hunts. 

Thompson Mr. Peter, Wisbech 
Thorney Book Society 
Townley Richard Greaves, Esq. Fulbourn 
Townley Rev. William Gale, Beauprc Hall, Rector of 
Up well, 6 copies 

Veall Mr. Benjamin, Wisbech 

Ulyat Mr. Abraham, Parson Drove 
Usill James, Esq. Wisbech, 2 copies 
Usill Abraham, Esq. ditto, 2 copies 
Usill Mr. H, M. ditto 

Walker Mrs. Spilsby 
Walker Rev. Thomas, Coningsby 


XXVI 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


Ward Mr. G. A. Wisbech 

Wardale Rev. J. R. Higham Gobion, Bedfordshire 
Watson Mr. T. S. Jun. Wisbech 
Watson Mr. James, Thorney 
Waudby Mr. Hugh, Upwell 
Waudby William, Esq. Coldham Hall, Elm 
Wayet Rev. John, Lecturer of Boston and Rector of 
Pinchbeck 

Weatherhead Mr. J. R. Wisbech 
Weight Mr, C. D. Parson Drove 
Westwood Mr. E. A. Ely 
Whincop Robert, Esq. Lynn 
Whitsed John, Esq. M.D. London 
Whitsed Mr. Isaac, Sutton St. Edmund’s 
Whittlesea Book Society 

Wilkins Thomas, Esq. Ringstead House, Northamptonshire 

Wing Tycho, Esq. Thorney Abbey 

Wing John, Esq. Wisbech 

Wing R,ev. William, Jun. Thornhaugh 

Wisbech Corporation 

Wisbech Literary Society 

Wright Mr. Gregory, Wisbech 

Wright Mr. Thomas, ditto 

Yorke Rt. Hon. Charles, Boningtons, 2 copies 


HISTORY OP WISBECH, 



INTRODUCTION. 


THE ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF THE 

COUNTRY. 

The Sacred Scriptures inform us, that after the Flood, 
Shem, Ham, and Japhet, (the three sons of Noah) as 
their issue multiplied, separated themselves into the 
several quarters of the earth, and that by them and 
their descendants the whole world was peopled ;—“ By 
“ these were the Isles of the Gentiles divided in their 
“ lands ; every one after his tongue, after their families, 
“ in their nations.” # 

Gomer, the son of Japhet, gave name to the Gomerians, 
who were afterwards called Cimbri and Cimmerii. This 
name spread itself through Gaul into Germany, and from 
the former country, there is little doubt that some of 


* Gen. x. 5. This concise chapter is one of the most ancient, 
authentic, and venerable records in existence.’—It explains to us what 
all historians were ignorant of—the origin of nations: Medes, Assyrians, 
Persians, Grecians, Egyptians, Lydians, and Syrians. 


A 




2 


HISTORY OF 


their colonies crossed the sea into Britain; for it is 
agreed by British antiquaries, that the most ancient 
inhabitants of our island were called Cymri, or, as it is 
sometimes pronounced, Cimbri; and the Welsh, to this 
day, call themselves Kumero, Cymro, and Kumeri, and 
their language, Kumeraeg. # 

Tacitus, in his Life of Agricola, intimates, that the 
religion of the Gauls and Britons may be proved to be 
the same, from their superstitions being of a similar 
nature, f We have no authentic account when the 
Kimmerians first passed out of Asia, but that they were 
in Europe seven hundred years before the Christian 
./Era, may be safely stated. J 

About the fifty-fourth year before the birth of Christ, 
Britain was invaded by the Romans, at which time its 
inhabitants were divided into many small tribes, under 
distinct and independent chieftains; but a general com¬ 
mander was, in cases of imminent danger, chosen to 
direct the whole. The landing of Caesar, the bold 
resistance he met with, and the uneasiness of the sturdy 
Britons under a foreign yoke, have been often related and 
are well know T n. The victories of Caesar were, however, 
unproductive, and of little moment. The Britons, who 
are represented as being stout and valiant, were allowed 
to remain unmolested for nearly a century afterwards, 
and were rather allies than tributaries of the Romans, 
until about the seventh year of the reign of the 


* Camden, p 11. 

+ The words of Tacitus are “ Eorum sacra deprehendas, supcrstitionum 
u persuasione.” Vit. Agricola;. 

t Tumor’s Anglo-Saxons, vol. i. p. 2. 


Wisbech* 


3 


emperor Claudius, (a.d. 49*) when, jealousies arising, 
and civil wars breaking out among the natives, the 
Homans seized the opportunity of reducing them more 
completely under their power. 

Caractacus (an eminent British warrior of the tribe of 
the Silures *) stood forward to rescue his country from 
its proud invaders, and by his bravery harassed his 
enemies for several years; but, in the end, his troops 
were defeated, and the noble Caractacus, having sought 
the protection of Cartismandua, queen of the Brigantes,T 
was betrayed by her, and delivered up into the hands of 
the conquerors, and afterwards carried a captive to 
Rome, where he made his powerful and celebrated 
harangue before the assembled senate. About this time 
that part of the island which comprehends the counties 
of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and Huntingdon, w T as 
inhabited by the “ Iceni,” probably so termed from the 
wedge-like form of their territory—the Britons in their 
language calling a wedge u Iken.”i The Iceni, who 
were a powerful people, and not yet wasted by war, next 
attacked the Roman settlements, but were at length 
defeated, and Prasutagus, their king, then in a dying- 
state, with the hope of preserving his kingdom to his 
family in peace, made the emperor Nero and his own 
daughters co-heirs to his great treasures. This disposal 
of his power failed to produce its intended effect; for 
after his decease, his territories were seized upon and 
plundered by the Roman troops; his illustrious wife, 

* People inhabiting Herefordshire, &c. 

t Inhabitants of the tract now called Yorkshire, Durham, Lancashire, 
Westmoreland, and Cumberland. 

} Some imagine it to be derived from Lie or Uicon, that is, “ Brave 
“ Men,” but Whitaker says the genuine name was Ceni, Y-cen-i, the 
te Head ones.” 


A 2 


4 


HISTORY OF 


Boadicea, having opposed these unjust proceedings, suf¬ 
fered, with her daughters, the most shameful treatment, 
through their lust and cruelty, and many of the nobles 
were deprived of their paternal estates. Exasperated 
by these insults and injuries, the Iceni again took up 
arms, and their example was speedily followed by the 
other states. Boadicea was appointed to head the 
common forces * her military exploits were glorious, and 
she gained several successive victories; but on sustaining 
a defeat by Suetonius, an experienced Roman com¬ 
mander, she hastily terminated her existence by poison. 

Although frequent revolts ensued, the Britons could 
never afterwards make head against their invaders, but 
gradually fell into a supine and slothful state. At 
length the great strength of the Roman empire began 
to consume itself; the imperial armies found sufficient 
employment in supporting their own power at home; and 
as their interest declined, the barbarous nations of the 
north broke into their rich provinces, and the whole 
frame of their affairs became so disordered, that about 
the year 448 after Christ, the empire of Rome in 
Britain finally expired. 

From this period, no author of credit having noticed 
the Iceni, we can infer nothing certain about them from 
history. Their ancient name may, however, still be traced 
in Ikenild Street, one of the four Roman highways run¬ 
ning through the island, which extended from Yarmouth 
in Norfolk, to and beyond Barley in Hertfordshire, giving- 
in its course names to several villages, as Ick worth, 
Icklingham, Ickleton, Iksnig, now Exning, &c. # 


* From Barley to Royston, it divides the counties of Cambridge and 
Hertford. From Ickleford, it runs by Tring, crosses Buckinghamshire and 


5 


WISBECH. 

This part of the island was next occupied by the 
warlike Saxons, who, under their leaders, Hengist and 
Horsa, landed in the isle of Thanet about the year 449 
or 450, having been invited over, after the departure of 
the Romans, to assist the natives against the Scots and 
Piets. These auxiliaries, quarrelling with their friends, 
soon found means to settle themselves in different parts 
of the country, and succeeded in establishing therein 
seven kingdoms, # one of which, comprising, among 
other counties, that of Cambridge, was called East 

Anglia, or the kingdom of the East Angles. 

/ 

The Danes afterwards gained possession of this 
country, and held it until king Edward the Elder wrested 
it from them by force, and added it to his own kingdom 
of the West Saxons.f 

The country of East Anglia is described by an his¬ 
torian who flourished in the year 970, j as being en¬ 
compassed on the south and east by the ocean, and on 
the north by the moisture of large fens, which, arising 
almost in the heart of the island, descended in great 
rivers into the sea; the inner parts being a rich soil, 
and famous for pasturage, presented in summer a most 
delightful green prospect. The south part of this 


Oxfordshire, passes the Thames at Goring, and extends to the west part 
of England. 

* The Saxons, though they were divided into seven kingdoms, were 
for the most part subject only to one head, who was stiled King of the 
English Nation : of these kings Hengist was the first. 

t A. D. 908. Egbert was the first sole monarch of the English. He 
conquered Kent, and laid the foundation of the sole monarchy about the 
year 8 v 27, which put an end to the Saxon heptarchy. 

x Abbo Floriacensis, in his Life of king Edmund. Also Camden, p. 366. 


6 


HISTORY OF 


country, belonging to the county of Cambridge, was 
called by the Saxons 61ig, (now the isle of Ely) which 
some derive from the Greek EAoc, a marsh; or it 
may be deduced from the old British word “ Helig,’’ 
signifying a willow, or from “ Heli,” salt or marsh 
land gained from the sea. # 

The inhabitants of this and the rest of the low country 
were called by the natives Gyrvii, u Gyr,” in English, 
signifying the same as “ Palus,” a deep fen, in Latin. 

At the northern extremity of the county of Cambridge 
is situated the town of Wisbech, the most con¬ 
siderable place in the isle, the ancient and present 
state of which, it is the principal object of this work to 
describe. But inquiry shall first be made into the origin 
of the Great Level of the Fens or Low Country * how 
it became overflowed by the sea, and how afterwards 
gained therefrom, and into the course and outfalls of the 
rivers passing through the same. 


* Salt was formerly made in great abundance upon the sea shore. 
The hills all along upon the sea bank are called Salt Hills, such as at Fleet, 
Holbeach, &c. and >ve hnd the name given to places, as Salter’s*Lode, 
Saltash, Saltfleet, &c. 


WISBECH. 


7 


THE HISTORY OF THE GREAT LEVEL. 


The Level in its Original State, 

It is supposed that there has been a time when the 
whole great level of the fens, with the adjacent low 

country, was one vast open bay, where the tides freely 

* 

flowed and reflowed, and that by the quantity of sand 
and earthy matter brought by the united action of 
winds and tides, the bay became progressively more and 
more shallow, until, in process of time, the depositions 
becoming higher than the rise of the neap tides, and 
growing over w r ith grass, a habitable country was gra¬ 
dually formed. 

The upland waters, in their passage to the sea, would 
of themselves force channels in various directions 
through the supposed depositions of earthy matter, as 
would also the rivers flowing from the interior parts of 
the island. A large district of country, fertile in its 
nature, being in time gained, inhabitants would soon 
be induced to settle there. The surface, in the course 
of ages, being raised by alluvial deposit and accumulation 
of daily warp from the flowing in of the tides, would 
become sound and dry; and the rivers running through 
the level, and keeping for the most part their accustomed 



$ 


HISTORY OF 


courses, would contribute their share to the nourishment 
of trees, with which ancient historians represent this 
country to have abounded.* 

The large tract of land supposed to have been thus 
formed, and which extends into, and is bounded by 
the counties of Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincoln, 
Huntingdon, and Northampton, comprising no less than 
400,000 acres, has, no doubt, undergone many changes 
and alterations. Dr. Stukeleyf adopts the hypothesis 
before stated, viz. That at some early period, the waters 
of the sea overflowed the whole of this country. When 
the land had at length emerged from the waters by some 
such process as that already described, it is not impos¬ 
sible that it had a natural fall to the sea, and that it pro¬ 
gressively became wooded and cultivated. Sir William 
Dugdale, in his learned “ History of Embanking and 
Draining,” conceives this vast level to have once been 
firm dry land, and so far from being annoyed with any 
extraordinary inundations of the sea, or stagnations from 
the fresh waters,f to have been plentifully supplied with 
wood and timber trees, and that some great land flood, 
many ages since, meeting with an obstruction at the 
natural outfall, spread itself over the face of the whole 
level, and that the waters, ever since the covering of 
the same, have produced a moor now grown up to so 
great thickness. 


* Smeaton. 

t Dr. William Stukeley, wliose name and memory are respected by 
every true lover of English antiquities, and whose literary disquisitions 
will he always considered curious, was a native of Holbeach, distant about 
twelve miles from Wisbech, and was born in the year 1689, and admitted 
of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in 1703. 

* 7 Pugdale, p. 171. 


WISBECH. 


9 


Mr. Atkins, of Outwell,* a most experienced person, 
and known to have taken infinite pains in his inquiries 
into the ancient state of the fens, says, “ That the fens, 
“ which are now, were formerly in the nature of meadow 
“ lands, fruitful, healthful, and very profitable to the 
“ inhabitants, affording much relief to the people of the 
u high countries in the time of great droughtand he 
instances Peterborough as formerly called Medehamstead, 
on account of the meadows there; and further observes 
that Ely fen and Peterborough great fen were once forest, 
and afforded habitation and shelter for deer, &c. which 
may account for the horns of those animals having been 
dug up, in the making of drains in several places 
within this district. Whilst, therefore, the tide had its 
free course up the rivers, the country was not materially 
annoyed, and the rivers also, by the constant motion 
of the waters, being scoured and made deeper, as well 
as preserved in good condition, the collective body of 
land waters, acting in conjunction with the tides, pre¬ 
served and improved the outfall of the great level. 

The Arrival of the Romans . 

At what particular time this large tract of fen was 
secured from the sea by artificial means, no sufficient 
testimony is left to us on record ; a circumstance from 
which we may infer that the attempt took place at a 
very early period. It is most probable that the Romans 
began the work whilst they were masters here, as they 
remained in possession of this island several centuries, 


* See Biography after mentioned under the name of “Atkins lie lived 
about 1620. 


10 


HISTORY OF 


a. d. and kept in pay 80,000 soldiers. It is not to be supposed 
40. that the Britons made any considerable endeavours to 
improve or alter the course of nature, as we know 
them to have been originally a people unskilled in the 
arts and sciences, contenting themselves with mean and 
uncomfortable habitations. It may, therefore, be pre¬ 
sumed, that the Romans on their arrival found this vast 
level, or the greatest part thereof, to be a sound fruitful 
soil, covered with wood and trees, and that, as these 
woods impeded the progress of their arms by the security 
afforded to the natives, they were induced to destroy 
and clear them away. An instance of this kind occurs in 
the early history of Flanders, which, on the invasion of 
it by the victorious Caesar, he found so full of woods and 
morasses, that, being unable to conquer it, he at length 
cut down the woods, that he might the more easily 
subdue the inhabitants. This being a description of 
country similar to these fens, and invaded by the same 
people, it is not improbable that the like means were 
used to facilitate and complete the Roman conquests 
here.* 

Embankment of the Country. 

Presuming, then, that the Romans found this level in 
the state described in the last chapter, to be a fruitful soil, 
and probably much more rich and fertile than the upland 
ground, it is reasonable to suppose that they were after¬ 
wards induced to bestow upon it the expense and cost 
of raising and erecting strong barriers or banks of earth 


* Julius Caesar says, “ The Britons call a thick wood, inclosed with 
“ a rampart and a ditch, a town, to which they retire for the security of 
“ themselves and cattle against an invading enemy.” De Bell. Gall. lib. 5. 


WISBECH. 


11 


next the sea, in order to defend it from the overflowing 
of the spring tides, to which it was exposed. This 
presumption is strengthened by the well-known industry 
of the Homans, and the excellent discipline of their 
troops, who would, no doubt, (were it for the purpose 
alone of preserving them from idleness) be kept in 
exercise in works of a useful nature, such as the con¬ 
struction of embankments. In corroboration of this 
opinion, there is a passage in the life of Agricola, by 
Tacitus, where the Roman general is said to have em¬ 
ployed the Britons “ in clearing the woods and draining 
“ the marshes.” That the Romans were settled in 
many parts of this great level, the number of their 
coins, urns, and other antiquities # found here, and 
the causeway supposed to have been made by the 
emperor Severus, seem to manifest. This causeway 
extended twenty-four miles across the fens, from Denver 
to Peterborough, and is now covered with moor from 
three to five feet in thickness. When, therefore, these 
countries were once recovered from the sea by the 
defence of strong banks, the cultivation thereof natu¬ 
rally succeeded as an object of public concern. And 
although the Romans might, in the first instance, for 
the sake of more easy subjugation, have cleared away 
many of the ancient woods, they would afterwards, 
when the country was completely subjected to their 


* At Walpole, a tenant of Mr. Cony’s, under the bank, (still called 
the Roman bank) digging three feet deep in his garden, found many 
Roman bricks, and an aqueduct made of earthen pipes. Sir Andrew 
Fountain, upon inspecting them, pronounced them “ Roman,” made of 
the same earth as their urns. Bib. Top. Brit. Lincolnshire Antiquities, 
vol. 1, in letter from E. Cony, Esq. to Roger Gale, Esq. 8th Nov. 172 7 . In 
cutting through the drains in the fens, divers urns have been dug up in 
various places; all, undoubtedly, testimonies that some of the Roman 
.colonies had their residence in these parts. 


12 


HISTORY OF 


power, and secured through their own labour or that 
of the natives, by embankments from the ocean, natu¬ 
rally endeavour to render it as beneficial as possible, 
and by way of adding to its ornament, set about re¬ 
planting the same. Trees would then thrive well, and 
as the Romans continued in the island for about four 
centuries altogether, they would find these marshes 
improve into a fine condition; and any trees which 
they might think proper to plant, or to encourage the 
growth of, would, in the course of a few years, come to 
considerable maturity. As nature acts uniformly under 
similar circumstances, there is reason to believe that the 
great level would have been a flourishing country to 
this very day, had not her operations been interrupted 
by the works of art. To the latter, therefore, and not 
to the former, we must look for the great deterioration 
which has taken place. It is, indeed, considered b y 
many, that even the Romans embanked the country too 
early ; had the tides and land waters been suffered to 
spread themselves over the surface a few centuries 
longer, the lower parts of the then marshes would have 
been elevated by the continued subsidence of silth. 
There would have been no fens, and the drainage of 
the whole level would have been perfect and natural, 
and would have saved many millions in expense.* 

The Arrival of the Saxons. 

a.d. The calamities of the Romans at home having caused 

448. them to recall their troops, they finally abandoned this 
island, and resigned their dominion in Britain about the 
year 448. The Piets and Scots then attacked the dis- 


* Chapman’s Facts and Remarks. 


WISBECH. 


13 


tressed Britons, who, in their then harassed condition, 
had no resource but to crave the assistance of the 
Saxons, by whose aid they overcame their invaders. 

But the Saxons having gotten a footing in the island, 
and perceiving the exuberance of the land to which 
they had been invited, became desirous to possess it. 

They thereupon, sending for great numbers of their 
countrymen to join them, obtained such advantages over 
the Britons, that at length they formed a permanent 
settlement in this country; and when once established, 
their chief leaders appropriated to themselves the 
countries which each had been most instrumental in 
conquering, until after a long and violent contest, the a.d, 
whole was formed into a heptarchy, consisting of seven 575. 
kingdoms. One body under the command of Uffa, 
having seized upon the counties of Cambridge, Suffolk, 
Norfolk, and the isle of Ely, their leader assumed the 
sovereignty thereof, by the title of u King of the East 
“ Anodes. But what attention he and his successors 
paid, and, indeed, whether they paid any, towards the 
exclusion of the sea, and the more effectual drainage of 
the lower parts of their dominions, is, in the total silence 
of authentic history, matter of uncertain conjecture. 

Decay of Embankments by reason of intestine troubles, 

and the Condition of the Country after such Decay . 

Amongst many causes assigned for the decay of the 
outfalls, it has been supposed that after the country was 
abandoned by the Romans, the banks and drains became 

* This kingdom was founded about a. d. 575, and ended in 792. The 
first Christian king was Redbald, who began his reign in 599. Edmund, 
who, in opposing the Danes, was murdered at St. Edmundsbury, was the 
last king of the East Angles. 


HISTORY OF 


neglected. During the contest between the Britons and 
Saxons, the inhabitants would be too much occupied to 
attend to the bulwarks which had been constructed by 
the Romans, and had served for ages as defences against 
the encroachment of the sea; and as the Anglo-Saxons 
were not remarkable for their skill in erecting and 
forming barriers against the ocean, any sudden accident, 
by a breach in the banks, during these unsettled times, 
would cause a desolation -so great, that such part of 
the country would, for a time, become depopulated 
and again lost, the inhabitants themselves being unable 
to attempt its recovery. 

When any such breach of the banks took place, the 
land floods would in their course be diverted, and pre¬ 
vented from reaching the proper outfall; the rivers, like¬ 
wise, being robbed of a considerable part of the ebbs, 
which, whilst the banks were preserved in a good 
condition, were accustomed to return through them, 
would choke up and decay; add to which, these waters 
continuing to lie a very long time upon the lands, the 
original soil would become softened and dissolved, and by 
mixing with the sullage and mud brought with them, the 
very nature and composition thereof would be entirely 
altered, and those lands, from fruitful pasturage, be at 
length turned into a wilderness of flags and sedge; and 
as these grew up, obstructions would increase, until in 
time the whole country was changed into a deep fen, 
such as St. Guthlac * describes the great level to have 
been. And these effects, together with the subsiding 
silth from the sea water, would compose such strata as 
the country is now found to consist of.f 


* He lived about a. d. 700. 


t Ellstob, p. 256. 


WISBECH. 


15 


The soil, becoming so altered, would be naturally con¬ 
ducive to the growth of reeds and rushes, as well as to 
the support of alders and other aquatic plants, and the 
rank vegetation would increase the difficulty of the land 
floods in getting to the rivers, so that the level would 
become the more annoyed; and the waters being thus 
interrupted in their passage to the rivers, the outfall 
would, for want of a sufficient supply of back water, 
begin to decrease in depth, and to choke up; and by 
degrees every thing would contribute and concur, as it 
were, in bringing on a general inundation. 

That several parts of the level were incumbered with 
reeds and alders, which in some places served for the 
harbour and shelter of deer,* and were a part of the 
king’s forest, appears from a presentment made 34th 
Edward I. 

IIow it was regained. 

This country must have remained a long time in a 
desolate condition before it was again recovered, if we may 
judge from the vast accretion of soil which has taken 
place. We find the surface of the fens raised in some 
parts from ten to sixteen feet ; it being recorded, that 
about a mile from Magdalen bridge, at the setting down 
of a sluice, there were discovered, at the depth of six¬ 
teen feet, divers furze-bushes, and also nut-trees pressed 
down flat, with nuts sound and firm lying by them, the 
bushes and trees standing in solid earth, below the siltli 


* In 1305, it was presented, that the tenants of the abbots of Ramsey, 
and of Thorney in Whittlesea, had wasted all the fen of King’s-delph of 
the alders, hassocks, and rushes, estimated at 1,000 acres, so that the 
kind’s deer could not have harbour there as they had before. Dug. p. 307 . 


16 


HISTORY OF 


brought up by the inundation of the sea. And at the 
setting down of Skirbeck sluice, near Boston, a smith’s 
forge was found at the same depth, covered with silth, 
and all the tools thereunto belonging, with horse-shoes 
and other things made of iron. Also, in the year 1636, 
when Wisbech river was deepened, the workmen, at 
eidit feet below the then bottom, came to another, 
which was stony, and found therein, at several distances, 
boats which had lain there overwhelmed with silth for 
many ages. So, likewise, at Salter’s Lode, at the 
digging of a foundation by the adventurers in their 
great work of drainage, the silth was observed to be ten 
feet in thickness, and next below that, were three feet of 
firm moor, and then blueish gault, which the workmen 
judged from its appearance to have been originally silth. 
Then below that, a moor of three feet in thickness, much 
firmer and clearer than the other ; and lastly, whitish 
clay, which is supposed to have been the natural and 
bottom soil from the beginning. As there is no record 
when this tract of country was first gained, neither is 
there any of its recovery ; but it may be presumed, that 
as the contentions and differences between the Britons 
and Saxons ceased, and their affairs became more settled 
a.d. by the establishment of the Mercian kingdom,* the 
600. inhabitants began to turn their minds to renewed im¬ 
provements, and to set about the reparation of neglected 
embankments. This would lead them to a cultivation 
of the country, by such methods as were most agreeable 


* This kingdom began a. d. 582, and ended 827. It was one of the 
largest of the heptarchy, and contained Huntingdon, Lincoln, and fifteen 
other counties. Ceolred, ninth king of Mercia, levied an army to pursue 
the Danes about 712, and annexed the jurisdiction of the isle of Ely and 
the revenues of the monastery to the crown, which retained them until 
the reign of king Edgar, a.d. 972. 


WISBECH. 


17 


to the soil, and the nature and situation thereof. # 
Dugdale, speaking of the low country, says, “ Our 
u ancestors, the Saxons, observing the extraordinary 
u fertility of the soil, seated themselves in this country,” 
of which there is evidence from the survey taken by 
king William, shewing that the towns now in being 
were all existing in the days of king Edward the Con¬ 
fessor, and might probably have been so for divers 
preceding ages. The church of Ely was possessed of 
Walpole long before the time of the Confessor, and it 
was a place of no small note as giving birth to St. 
Goderick, the hermit, f And although time and the 
accumulation of sullage heightened the surface, still the 
old towns might stand near the places where they now 
are, as the churches may probably stand upon founda¬ 
tions laid on the old surface of the country, notwith¬ 
standing the actual ground upon which the houses are 
now built is much higher than the level in ancient 

O 

times. 

It has been an inquiry, by what means the level was 
so drowned as that woods should be torn up by the 
roots, and so great a proportion of silth brought in as 
to cover the ground to such an extraordinary depth ? We 
might perhaps reasonably reply, that the very deposits 
of the tides would in time form a barrier, so as to prevent 


* The Pomentin Fens, in Latiura, had been drained by Cornelius 
Cethegus, the consul, and made a rich and populous country, but when 
the maintenance of the works was neglected, the waters again by degrees 
gained upon the land, so that in Vespasian’s time, these fens were become 
so re-stagnated, that it was then esteemed a miracle they should ever have 
been so well drained and inhabited as they had been.—Yet they were again 
drained and the land recovered by the emperor Trajan, 
t He lived about 1070. Dug. p. 244. 

B 


HISTORY OF 


IS 


the water passing through the fens to the estuary below, 
and that by successive irruptions of the sea, the silth 
would be deposited and the woods destroyed. 

The country is known to be, at this day, destitute of 
wood and timber, although numbers of trees, overgrown 
with moor through a long time of stagnation of waters, 
have for many years been taken up in various parts 
of the level; and multitudes of roots of large trees, at 
the bottom and sides of drains, have also been found 
standing as they had grown, three feet under the 
moorish soil; whilst from others, the bodies had mani¬ 
festly been sawn off, and taken down by the hands of 
men, and that, not as if in a way of profit or use, 
some appearing to be burnt and others sawn off and 
lying useless, so that it may be judged, that in all 
probability, the latter were taken down for military 
purposes, to clear the way and destroy the shelter of 
the natives who had been secured thereby ; and if so, 
the trees found burnt, or severed from their roots, may 
be presumed to have been taken down by the Romans. 
Most of them may have been indigene or natives of the 
soil in which they grew, until the district became fen by 
the overflowing of the rivers, or by violent inundations 
of the sea, destroying the banks originally raised by 
the Romans.* 

Dugdale, in his invaluable work, states, that it has 
been imagined by some, that an earthquake may have 


* All the trees would first decay near the ground, where they were' 
sometimes wet and sometimes dry, and finally fall into the water, where 
the mud and decayed vegetative matter, which now constitutes the rich 
fen moor, would ultimately cover them to the present depth. Ellstob. 


WISBECH. 


caused the great change in the country, and, accord¬ 
ingly, adduces an instance of one happening a. d. 368, 
in the consulship of Valens, which overthrew not only 
several cities, but altered the very bounds of the sea. 
With every deference to this high authority, we are 
unwilling to attribute the change to any such cause, 
having no recorded account that this happy island has 
ever been considerably affected by any extraordinary 
convulsion of nature. 

The same learned writer observes in another place, 
that William of Malmsbury, # an authentic historian, 
represents Thorney a very paradise for beauty of country, 
and that he had in his own time received from credible 
testimony, that upon the cutting of certain moats at 
Whittlesey by F. Underwood, Esq.j- there were found 
about seven feet deep, (through absolute moor) firm 
ground and swathes of mowed grass lying perfect and 
not consumed, by which, he observes, it is manifest that 
some excessive rain, falling in the summer time, had 
caused such a flood of fresh waters, as then meeting 
with an obstruction in the outfall in regard of the silth 
there contracted by a long season of dry weather, the 
usual current of the waters to the sea was so hindered, 
that being forced back, they overflowed the whole level, 
and kept it, for the most part, under water, until the 
general undertaking of drainage. It is, therefore, not 
improbable that some such causes as those just enume¬ 
rated, succeeded by a general inundation and superfluity 
of waters, may have been the means of altering the entire 


* He wrote in the time of Henry II.—1155* 

t Dug. p. 360.—He says, these moats were cut about twenty years 
before his time, which would bring the period to about 1635. 

B 2 


20 


HISTORY OF 


face of the country, and tearing up the very trees and 
woods with which it once abounded. 

If we now turn our views to the rivers, and consider 
the alterations occasioned by them, we shall find that 
the obstructions in the outfall would, in process of time, 
materially change the face of this extensive district; 
we shall, therefore, next state 

The Rise and Course of the Rivers passing through the 

Revel, the Grand Outfall whereof teas at Wisbech. 

First, the Grant, which, having its origin about 
Ashwell, in Hertfordshire, and bringing with it the 
waters of part of that county and part of Essex, 
passes through Cambridgeshire, and unites itself to a 
branch of the Ouze below Stretham Mere. 

The Ouse* rises at a certain spring called Ouse- 
well, near Brackley, in Northamptonshire, and passing- 
through part of Buckingham and Bedfordshire, descends 
by Huntingdon,f and enters Cambridgeshire at a place 
called the Hermitage, in the parish of Haddenham, near 
to Earith, where it formerly divided into two branches*— 
the one falling by Earith below Stretham Mere, where 
it received the river Grant from Cambridge, and passing 
to Ely, and thence to Prickwillow, where the Mildenhall 
river falls in, ran, united with that river, to Littleport 
Chayre, Welney, and Shrewsnest Point. The second 
branch, formerly called the West Water, ran in a 


* Ouse, slow winding through a level plain 
Of spacious meads, with cattle sprinkled o’er, 
Conducts the eye along his sinuous course 
Delighted. Cowper. 

t See Map. 



'Published/ fry A- kJJieuchr, WisbecAJ827. 




























































WISBECH. 


21 




northerly direction from Earith to Benwick, where it 
met a part of the Nene, and falling down with the 
Nene water, it again joined the first-mentioned branch 
at Shrewsnest Point, # and they then concurred in one 
course from thence by Up well, Outwell, and Elm, 
(dividing the isle of Ely from Marshland) to Wisbech 
and Cross Keys Wash, which was at one time the only 
outfall for the waters of this great level, and so were 
carried to the sea. 

The Nene, whose head is about Catesby, in Northamp¬ 
tonshire, running through Peterborough, there divided 
itself. The chief branch formerly passed by Standground 
and Horsey Bridge, to Whittlesea Mere, and through 
Ugg and Ramsey Meres, to Benwick above-named, 
and there joined the West Water (or second branch of 
the Ouse) from Earith. The united streams thence 
descended to a place called Great Cross, where they 
divided into two other branches, of which one, a minor 
branch, (called the Plant Water) took a further northerly 
direction by Guyhirn to Wisbech; and the other took 
a direct course from Great Cross, through March, to 
the said Shrewsnest Point, where it united itself to 
the first branch of the Ouse from Stretham, and thus 
took its course by Wisbech to the sea. The second 
principal branch of the Nene, after passing through 
Peterborough, ran by Thorney Bar and Singleholt, to 


* One branch of the Ouse, in its present course, enters the county of 
Cambridge at the Hermitage, near Earith, runs down the Hundred-feet or 
New Bedford river, in a northerly direction, by Sutton, Mepal, and Manea, 
and enters Norfolk a little to the east of Welney. The other branch, after 
its junction with the Grant, passes by Ely, and receiving the waters of the 
Mildenhall river, proceeds to Denver sluice, where the two branches unite 
and continue their course by Downham, Stow, Magdalen, and St. German’s, 
to Lynn, and thence to their outfall. 


22 


HISTORY OF 


Crowland, where it united with the Welland, and passed 
with it to Spalding, and so to the sea, 

The Welland has its rise near Sibertoft, in North¬ 
amptonshire, and coming to Market Deeping, passed 
to Crowland, where it divided into two branches,—the 
one leading by South Eau to Clow’s Cross, and sfo by 
Guyhirn towards Wisbech ; the other in a more slow 
course to Spalding. 

The course of these rivers shews that at Wisbech 
was anciently, and we may say originally, the Grand 
Outfall for all the vast aggregate body of waters brought 
down from the rivers Grant, Ouse,* a considerable part 
of the Nene, and several minor streams, as was also 
the great estuary by which the tides flowed into and 
up the several above-mentioned rivers; at which time 
the haven of Lynn was but six poles wide, f serving 
only to discharge the water coming down the little Ouse 
or Brandon river, and the small rivers of Stoke, Setch, 
and Nar. 

Causes leading to the Decay of the original Outfall at 
Wisbech, by the diversion of the Ouse Waters through 
a new Cut at Littleport Chayre , and the neglect of 
ancient Sewers. 

Presuming that the inhabitants of the country, as it 
became more settled, followed the example originally 

* The Ouse utteretli the great collected body of water it hath brought 
with it, out of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Essex, 
Hertford, Bedford, Buckingham, Oxford, and Northamptonshire, (ten coun¬ 
ties) into the North Sea, after having made a course of 160 miles. Bade- 
slade, p. 4. 

t In former ages, the channel of Lenne haven (as by good records 
appeareth) was not above six poles wide. Badeslade, p. 1. 


WISBECH. 


23 


set by the Romans, they would proceed to take in and 
embank increasing quantities of land towards the coast, 
whereby the high country waters would be kept from 
the sea, whither the descent of the country would have 
carried them, had there been no such obstructions. 
Notwithstanding these embankments, the grand outfall 
by Wisbech would, from the communication between the 
Nene and Ouse, for a long time continue good; but 
when the quantity of ebb left to return with the land 
waters diminished, and the outfalls began to decay, 
the more remote parts of the level would become in¬ 
undated. The drains then contrived would divide the 
waters into different courses, and thus deprive the main 
rivers of their usual supply, which in consequence would 
gradually diminish in depth, and thus impede the flow 
of the tides up their channels. The waters remaining 
upon the land would not only deposit the sullage, but 
cover the surface with moor. Through these impedi¬ 
ments, the upland waters would come down less rapidly, 
and the tides being restrained, and the quantity of ebb 
diminished, they would neither have strength enough 
to maintain one certain course in so large an outfall, 
nor sufficient force to scour out the sands, so as to 
preserve a sufficiently deep channel. Causes of this 
nature may have led, in some degree, to the decay of 
the ancient outfall at the port of Wisbech. But the 
great bane, and what completed the destruction of 
that noble outfall, was the diverting so large a portion 
of the waters of the great Ouse, # to the channel of 


* The river Ouse, its outfall by Wisbech decaying, was not only cut 
straight, but by a new river made from Littleport Chayre to Rebeck, was 
let fall into Ouse Parva or Brandon Water, and thence by Salter’s Lode to 
Lynn haven, its former course to Littleport being by Wellenhee or Welle, 
and so to the North Sea at Wisbech. Dug. p. b72» 


24 


HISTORY OF 


the little Ouse or Brandon river, by making a new cut 
from Littleport , by Rebeck , and Priest's Houses , into 
the little Ouse, and so turning its course to Lynn instead 
of Wisbech . 

It is difficult to determine when this cut was made, 
though it seems to have been done at a very early 
period ; # but the straightness of this part, so contrary 
to the usual course of the stream, plainly shews it to 
be artificial, f This cut, although it might relieve a 
certain part of the country, was unquestionably very 
fatal to the port of Wisbech, which, by the loss of so 
great a body of upland water, and so large a receptacle 
for the tides, must much sooner and more hastily fall 
into decay and ruin, and in time become insufficient 
even to pass off the waters of the Nene itself, by which 
means, those parts of the level bordering upon it would 
become inundated and drowned. 

That the ancient outfall of the great Ouse was by 
Wisbech J to the sea, is testified by the sea banks 
from Outwell to Wisbech, along the whole tract. A 
further testimony is, that when the Wisbech channel 
decayed, the people of Marshland, finding themselves 
overcharged by the waters, made complaint to king 
Edward the first, who granted a commission for re¬ 
storing these “ Waters of Upwell ” (for so the Ouse 
which formerly passed that way was called) to the 


* It was probably made in the time of Edward I;—about 1274. 
t A record vouched by Mr. Hexham, surveyor to William, Earl of 
Arundel, shews that at some time there was no river between Littleport 
Chayre and Rebeck, or Priest’s Houses. Badeslade. 
i Badeslade, p. 6. 


WISBECH. 


25 


outfall at Wisbech, “ by their due and ancient course.” 

And it was ordered, that there should be three dams 
made, one at Fendyke, about Upwell town’s end, near 
Popham Lode sluice; another at Little Lode bridge, in 
Upwell; and the third at Outwell bridge, to stop the 
waters of the Nene and Welland from descending into the 
Ouse, and force them to the outfall at Wisbech again;* 
and whilst the great Ouse, before the artificial cut at 
Littleport Chayre, had its perfect outfall by Wisbech, 
the channel of Lynn, though not more than six poles a.d. 
wide, was stated, on presentment, to be both sufficient for 1378. 
the haven and vessels thither resorting, by the inlet of the 
salt water, and large enough to pass away the fresh.^ 

Although many attempts were made to recover this 
ancient outfall, and divers presentments for such pur¬ 
pose took place; nevertheless, by neglect and delay in 
putting such orders into execution, the waters could 
not get to the sea by Wisbech, but still continued to 
annoy the level. 


* In an ancient MS. dedicated to Andrews, bishop of Ely, in 1618, an 
account is given by Mr. Atkins before-mentioned, of the original state and 
condition of Wisbech river, anno 1292.—“ This was an arm of the sea, 
“ and the time was when the whole course of the Ouse had its passage 
“ by Welney and Well, to the North seas at Wisbech, and from thence 
“ where now the washes be. In regard whereof, writers say king John’s 
“ people perished in the waters of Welle.” And Thorney red book, 
speaking of Wisbech castle, says, “ Super flumen illud famosum, quod 
“ Welle stream appellatur, situm est predictum castrum, quod a pluribus 
“ paludibus et ripulis et fontibus principium habet, et per longos meatus, 
«« in mare magnum juxta Wisbech, derivare liquido comprobatur.” This 
arm had Holland and a part of the isle on one side, and Marshland, in 
Norfolk, on the other, which were defended from it by great sea banks. 
Thither of old resorted ships and vessels of great burden, but the sea 
forsaking the isle, made the whole passage between Wisbech and the 
washes high marshes and sands, 
t Dugdalp, p. 394. 


26 


HISTORY OF 


In later times, the banks (especially from Wisbech 
upwards) began to be built upon,*' and thus the water 
courses were made too narrow. Also the drains, &c. 
within the fens, which were the principal conductors 
of the waters into the main streams, grew up for want 
of dyking and scouring, and thus became decayed; 
and the waters themselves were farther obstructed by 
wears and other impediments,f placed not only in the 
smaller drains, but in the main streams, to the general 
injury of the whole country. 

Jurors presented not only these several obstructions, 
but the insufficiency of many of the sewers; and the 
outfall of the Nene was decreed to be dug and en¬ 
larged in places of default from Guyhirn to the sea. 

Still no works were proceeded in, by reason that it 
became a doubtful question whether any good could 
be effected unless the whole of the decayed drains were 
all forthwith thoroughly cleansed; the country, there¬ 
fore, were discouraged from attempting a work of so 
vast expense and uncertainty as to its real effect, the 
waters seeming at this time to fall naturally towards 
Lynn,—and thus the great Ouse became at length the 
receptacle for conveying the waters of the level to the 
sea through Lynn; and the drains and sewers which 
were first formed and contrived to convey the waters into 
the channel of the Ouse through Wisbech having now 
become neglected, the inhabitants of the district were in¬ 
duced to give them a new course to Lynn, by leading these 
waters by drains into the little Ouse or Brandon river. 


* At the time of the general drainage, several houses were bought to 
be pulled down, in order to make the river at Wisbech wider, as appears by 
receipts for money paid by the Earl of Bedford, Lord Gorges, &c. Anuo 
1637. Badeslade, p. 17. t Ibid. p. 73, 74. 


WISBECH. 


27 


After the first embankments took place, proper drains 
and sewers were no doubt contrived to carry off the 
waters from the lands into the main channels, And as 
the property of most of the lands in the great level was 
in after times vested in the religious houses, the rulers 
and governors thereof shewed considerable anxiety in 
maintaining and improving their respective properties 
and interests. Several useful drains and sewers appear 
to have been formed by them, and great improvements 
made in particular quarters, but all without any reference 
to the general benefit of the level. Powerful individuals, 
pursuing private gain, executed measures destructive to 
extensive districts, and designs for the public good were 
obstructed through the separate interests of particular 
men and particular bodies of men, and whilst disputes 
relating to these rights and grants occurred between the 
different bodies of proprietors, the sewers and drains in 
the mean time continued to be neglected; it, therefore, 
became necessary to provide some remedy for the incon¬ 
veniences thereby sustained; and with the view probably 
of obtaining a general relief, the waters of the great 
Ouse were turned into the channel of the little Ouse 
as before-mentioned. Thus the decay in the outfall at 
Wisbech, and the inundation of the level, appear to 
have been owing, not to any regular operation of nature, 
but to works of men thwarting and obstructing nature, 
which in a regular course was continually advancing 
the good of the level and the improvement of the rivers 
and outfalls; and as long as such rivers and outfalls 
were preserved deep and good, the level was maintained 
in a fruitful condition for a succession of ages. Hence 
we find Leland # and other ancient writers very lavish 

* Deservedly named the Father of Antiquaries: he lived about 1530. 


HISTORY OF 


in their praises of this once fruitful country. Para¬ 
doxical, therefore, as it may seem, still it appears that 
the overflowing and stagnation of waters have beeii 
occasioned by improvident and partial embanking, and 
by not putting the laws of sewers afterwards in execu¬ 
tion ; by neglect whereof, the principal drains became 
useless to convey the downfall waters into the rivers, 
and thereby those rivers themselves were by degrees 
lost.* In confirmation of which effects, Dugdale re¬ 
marks, f “ That it had been a long received opinion, 
“ that the total draining of the great level had, for the 
“ most part, been occasioned by neglect of putting the 
“ laws of sewers in due execution in latter times.” 
Mr. Atkins before-mentioned, speaking of Wisbech, 
says, “ This pitiful outfall proceedeth of neglect in not 
“ scouring and dyking the river, nor preserving and 
“ maintaining the petty sewers and drains which an- 
“ ciently fed the same, by enforcing the waters thereof, 
“ and keeping them in their proper course, whereby the 
“ sea, finding but little resistance, nor strength of a fol- 
“ lowing head of water to scour the channel continually, 
“ silted up the river and outfall, so that though of ancient 
“ time ships of great burden resorted to Wisbech, yet 
“ for these causes the outfall so silted up, that as long 
“ since as king John’s time J the channel was so shallow 
“ that people could pass over at low water.” § 

The Effect of the New Cut at Littleport Chayre. 

This new cut soon caused the Wisbech outfall to 
decay, and Lynn haven to be worn wider by the action 
of the tides, and the force of the fresh waters descending 


* Badeslade. 


t Dug. p. 375. $ Badeslade, p. 17. § a.d. 1200. 


WISBECH. 


29 


that way; for when the Ouse had this new passage given 
it to the sea, the river Nene led its waters also the same 
way from Peterborough by Standground to Ben wick, 
and thence to a decayed river in March, called Great 
Cross, and to Shrewsnest Point, in Upwell, and there the 
said river divided itself, into two branches, one whereof 
descended by Welney, and from thence into this new cut, 
and by that course to the sea through Lynn haven. 

Thus the waters of the Nene were also forced to take, 
in a manner, their full how and whole course, contrary 
to their usual avoidance at Wisbech,* by reason of the 
decay of the sewers. 

The Ouse having this new course and outfall given to 
it, the waters appeared to go off the level much better 
than before, but still that channel could not receive all 
the streams which wanted to descend by it, and, there¬ 
fore, the waters of the Nene, as well as of the Ouse, 
still overflowed the level in winter; and the same in 
times of flood, because all the ancient sewers were 
made to drain into Wisbech river; from whence arose a.d. 
those complaints to king Edward the first, to restore 1292. 
the waters “ to their ancient course; ” and although 
orders were made for cleansing the old drains, and con¬ 
veying the waters from ofl‘ the level to Wisbech, still 
they were either neglected, or failed of any beneficial 
result. It is true that on a flat shore, like that of this 
country, the deposit of silth must always obstruct the 
discharge of the land floods, and render the assistance 
of art necessary, when such means are judiciously ap¬ 
plied ; but the face of the fen country in general affords 
legible and abundant proofs of the partiality and in- 
efficacy of former works, and that whilst laws were 


* Badeslade, p. 18 . 


30 


HISTORY OF 


made to drain one district, others were ultimately in¬ 
jured, and one error was attempted to be remedied by 
committing another. 

Several commissions from the crown were at various 
times issued, and courts of sewers holden in divers parts 
of the isle and adjoining counties, to consider of proper 
methods for the draining of the country, and the public 
attention was not unfrequently called to the neglected 
state of the rivers and drains leading to the outfall, as 
is shewn by the following 

Ancient Proceedings of Commissioners of Sewers.* 

A.D. 

1253. In 38th Henry III. f the king, on occasion of a 
breach of the sea banks, directed his precept to the 
sheriff of the county, requiring him to distrain all those 
who had lands within the precincts of the old banks 
about Wisbech, and to repair such banks as they ought 
to do according to their holdings. 

1314. In 8th Edward II. Geoffry de Colvile J and others 
were appointed to view the banks and sewers in Newton, 
Wisbech, &c. then in decay, and take order for repair. 

1335. In 10th Edward III. John de Colvile and others were 
appointed to inquire touching the decay in the sea 


* Commissions of sewers were held by the authority of the common 
law, or ancient usage of the kingdom. The first statute passed on the 
subject was 6th Henry VI. 1427, which added to the power of Com¬ 
missioners, and gave them authority to make officers, and to take account 
of expenditures, &c. 
t Dugdale, p. 299. 

} See family of Colvile, under the title of “ Newton,” iii the account 
of the adjoining parishes. 


WISBECH. 


31 


banks and sewers in the parts about Wisbech, Tid 
Saint Giles, Elm, Leverington, and Newton, and to 
take speedy order for their repair. 

A.D. 

In 13th Edward III. a session of sewers was held at 1338. 
Wisbech, when certain commissioners were assigned to 
view the banks and sewers, who ordained several banks 
to be repaired and sewers scoured. 

In the 47th of the same king’s reign, certain justices 1372. 
of sewers sat at Elm, when it was presented that a 
certain bank anciently made for safeguard of the lands 
betwixt the river of Wisbech and the river of Welle, 
beginning at the footpath opposite to the gate of 
Wisbech castle, and so extending itself to Goneldich, 
thence to Charitie cross, and so to the river of Welle, 
was in decay; and it was ordained that the bank should 
be raised three feet higher, so that the height from the 
level ground should be seven feet, and thirty-two feet 
in thickness at bottom, and at top twelve feet. It was 
likewise ordered that each man having lands or tene¬ 
ments in Elme, Wisbech, and Welle, should take his 
portion upon the sea bank, beginning at the house of 
Thomas Mounpesson, and extending to the flood-gates 
at Elm, and so to Welle; for default wherein, the said 
Thomas Mounpesson was afterwards attached. # 


* Dugdale, p. 313. It is ascertained that the house of Thomas Moun¬ 
pesson is the house at the bottom of Timber Market, now the property of 
Mrs. Elizabeth Fawssett,—in which house Thomas Fawssett, Esq. 
Major in the Cambridgeshire militia, was born. The mention of this 
name excites in my breast such feelings of regard, that I trust I shall 
be pardoned for paying a small tribute of respect to a character so 
deserving. He is universally respected by all who know him, as a man 
of honor, integrity, and benevolence of heart, as well as distinguished for 


32 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. In 4th Richard II. at a session of sewers held at 

1380. Elm, it was ordained, that for the better safeguard 
of the bank of Elm and Welle, every man having his 
portion thereon should plant willows opposite thereto, 
to break off the force of the waters in flood times, and 
no one should permit their swine to go upon the banks, 
except they were ringed, upon a penalty of one penny 
each hog. 

1437. In 16th Henry VI. a court was held at Wisbech 
by Sir John Colvile, Gilbert Hal toft, and others, at 
which various presentments were made, and an order 
issued for repairing the banks and cleansing the sewers, 
and it was directed, that the tenants of forty acres of 
land in Beechcroft, in Wisbech, should maintain a 
certain bank in Wisbech, called Wisbech Fen Dyke, 
and that the whole hundred of Wisbech should cleanse 
the sewer of South Eau Dyke, which lies in the parish 
of Wisbech, to Trokenholt, in Leverington ; and the 
abbott of Thorney from thence to Clow’s Cross, and the 
hundred from Clow’s Cross to Guyhirn; and the town 
of Elm should cleanse the river leading from Elm to 
Wisbech, so that the fresh water might run in the 
channel unto Wisbech, and thence to sea. The tenants 
of lands called Pavy’s, in March, were ordered to 
cleanse the same, so that the water might have its 

urbanity of manners. Though possessed of an ample independent fortune, 
he was desirous of rendering himself useful to his country, and, thereupon, 
entered into the militia of his county, in which lie served with honor from 
the commencement of the revolutionary war to its termination in 181.5, and 
whereof he became and is now Major. Few men are more amiable in their 
public and private character. He now enjoys the otium cum dignitate at 
Townley Castle, Ramsgate, where he is equally respected. If any thing 
can add to the character of this amiable man, it is the modesty with 
which he will read this tribute to his virtues. 


WISBECH. 


33 


passage to the great river of Wisbeche. They also pre¬ 
sented, that the prior of Ely and Sir Thomas Tuddenham 
should repair one crest,* beginning at the Fen Dyke, in 
Wisbeche, and leading to Bellymill Bridge j and that 
the parson of the church of Wisbeche ought and 
had used to repair a sewer, beginning at the house 
of Reginald Rogers, in Wisbeche, and leading into the 
town. Also, John Everard, Esq. was presented for having 
straitened the common river of Wisbeche with nets and 
other engines. The landholders in the Old Market of 
Wisbeche were ordered to make a new sea bank from 
Beuvise Cross to the great bridge of Wisbeche, on the 
west part of the river. The landholders of the town end 
of Wisbeche, on the north side of the river Use, were 
ordered to repair a bank from the great bridge in Wisbeche 
unto Sozeldyke ; and the landholders in the fen end of 
Wisbeche, from Sozeldyke to Guyhirn, and from thence 
to Piggs Drove Cross; and they said that the landholders 
of Guyhirn Cross, in Wisbeche, should repair a crest of 
bank, in height four, and in breadth eight feet, from 
the Cross to Sozeldyke ; and for the better safeguard 
of the town of Wisbeche, they ordained that the bank 
called Wisbeche Fen Dyke should be barred, to prevent 
cattle passing thereon, and all dams and engines in the 
river, whereby the water was stopped, should be removed, 
from Guyhirn to the sea; and a guardian was appointed 
to oversee and to open and shut the four gotes of 
Wisbeche, Leverington, Newton, and Tyd Saint Giles, 
and all the sewers in every hamlet were directed to be 
well scoured. The great river of Wisbeche was also 
ordered to be scoured and enlarged in all places where 
defective, from Guyhirn to the sea, by the landholders 
within the hundred of Wisbeche. It was also ordained, 

* A range of bank. Dug. p. 318. 

C 


34 


HISTORY OF 


that the water of Old Field, in Elm, ought to have its 
course and issue by a pipe lying under the river of Elm, 
and thence to run into Wisbeche river at Bevyse; but 
as the river had for many years past been so filled up 
with silth and sand brought in by the sea tides, that it 
could have no passage there, the water was directed 

a.d. to be sent by another pipe unto the flood-gate in 

1469. Leverington, called Dieugard. About thirty years after, 
a commission was appointed, consisting of the bishop 
of Ely, George, duke of Clarence, with several of the 
nobility, and Henry Spilman, and others, to view the 
banks and sewers, and the water passing from the bridge 
at Erith, by Benwick, Great Cross, and Wysbeche, to 
the sea, and to make ordinances for the repair of the 
banks, &c. 

1480. At this time, Bishop Morton cut that direct channel 
from Standground to Guyhirn, — a work declared by 
Dugdale as of singular consequence, not only for the 
quicker evacuation of the overflowings of the Nene, 
but for conveniency of carriage from Peterborough to 
Wisbech, affording a lasting memorial to that worthy 
Bishop.* 

1547. In 2d Edward VI. a session of sewers was held 
at Upwell, by Geoffry Colvile, Edmund Beaupre, and 
Richard Everard, Esquires, and others, when it was pre¬ 
sented, that by the great abundance of fresh waters yearly 
descending from the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cam¬ 
bridge, Bedford, Huntingdon, Northampton, Rutland, 
and Lincoln, by and through two great rivers, — one 
called the Ouse, descending unto the north seas at King's 
Lynne, and the other called the Great Ee, extending; 


* Dugdale, p. 363. 


WISBECH, 


from Peterborough, by Rams'ey, to March, and thence 
to a place in Upwell, called Shrewsnest Point, and so to 
Lynne:—there were yearly drowned within Upwell and 
Outwell 8,000 acres of ground, besides damage to the 
houses of the inhabitants, to the number of three 
hundred households, specially by the said waters de¬ 
scending by the said great Ee to Lynne ; the water of 
which said great Ee used to be conveyed unto the north 
sea at Wisbeche, by the decayed river in March, called 
Great Cross, Creak Lode, and the new learn; the decay 
of which sewers, with the rivers and drains extending 
unto Wisbeche, they considered to be the chief reason 
of the drowning, as well of the pastures of Upwell 
and Outwell, as of the whole country of Marshland, 
and would utterly drown the said parishes, unless the 
same decayed sewers were scoured, and the waters 
conveyed to sea by Wisbeche, in manner afore time used. 
And they said, another great occasion of drowning the 
marsh ground was by reason of the decay of an old 
sewer in Upwell, called Maid Lode, # which sewer had 
been most specially decayed on account of not keeping 
a oood sluice of stone-work or timber, with sufficient 
falling and hanging doors to stop out the flood silty 
waters; and also by reason that the same sewer did not 
fall lower towards the north seas, viz. at and against a 
place in Denver, called Denver Hythe, at which place 
they thought it most meet for to set up and build the 
said sluice; and that, for the preservation of the said 
sluice, there ought to be a substantial douse of stone¬ 
work and timber, with two sufficient draw doors to the 


* A certain river in Outwell, called the Little Lode, is said to divide 
the counties of Norfolk and Cambridge, Dugdale, p« 337, 

c 2 


HISTORY OF 


36 


sarne^ to be set within half a furlong of the said sluice r 
to stop the fresh waters in the time of extreme drought. # 

a.d. In 13th Elizabeth, another session of sewers was held, 

1571. when it was presented, that the sea bank, beginning at 
Tyd Gote, leading to the Horse-shoe, was in great decay, 
and should be made twenty feet high above the salt 
marsh, and six broad, by the'inhabitants of Tyd, Newton, 
and Leverington ; and from the Horse-shoe to Crabbe 
Marsh Gate, should be made of the same breadth and 
height, by all the lands in Eastfield, and thence to the 
sluice of Wisbeche; which bank -from Crabbe Marsh 
Gate was decayed in bishop Gooderick’s time, and part 
thereof carried, by the consent of the said bishop, for 
the pavement of the market-place in Wisbeche, and part 
by Mr. William Blomfeld, for making of a wind-mill 
there. f The like reparation was ordered to be made at 

the bank called Whymey Dyke, beginning at the sea 

/ 

bank end at the Horse-shoe, in Leverington, unto Core 
Corner, in Wisbeche; and from Core Comer to the old 
market and to Bevis Hall, twelve feet in height and six¬ 
teen in breadth, by all the landholders on the north of 
Wisbeche. It was also presented, that the landholders 
in Whitemathes, from Barton Cross, alias Barton Lane, 
ought to make a drove, J called Giggs Drove, four feet in 
height and eight in breadth; and that the great river 
of Wisbeche being greatly decayed, raised, and silted up, 
by reason of the flowing and ebbing of the salt water, 
it was ordered that a sluice should be made in the said 
river, at the Horse-shoe, in Leverington; and as it was 
for the preservation, so it should be at the charge of 

* Dug. p. 332. t Ibid. p. 338. 

t Raised causeways were formerly called droves. 


WISBECH. 


37 


all the hundred of Wisbeche; and the river should be 
made in breadth sixty feet and in depth ten feet, from 
Guyhirn to the sea; and that there should be two 
new rivers cast on each side of the said great river of 
Wisbeche; the one to begin at Guyhirn Cross, and ex¬ 
tend to Kentoun’s Corner; the other at Tower house, 
and to extend unto Keky’s mill r which rivers were to be 
fifteen feet wide a-piece, and six deep; and a dam was 
to be made on the lode at Hobb’s house, so that by the 
stopping thereof in dry years, the water might the 
better descend into the great river. 

At a session of sewers, 23d Elizabeth, before John a.d. 
Peyton,* Thomas Hewar, Esquires, and others, it was 1581. 
decreed, that Wisbeche, from Stone Cross (otherwise 
called Spittal Cross) to the sluice, should make and 
maintain the sea bank, and that the township of Elm 
should dig and scour the flood-gates in Elm to Spittal 
Cross. And that whereas the great river of Wisbeche 
was ordered to be digged, for the better grinding of the 
channel low to sea, so ought also Elm Ee. And they 
ordered that the latter should be scoured from Wisbeche 
sluice to Spittal Cross, (being the division between Elm 
and Wisbech) by the township of Wisbeche; and from 
Spittal Cross to the flood-gates of Elm, by the township 
of Elm; and from the town bridge of Elm to Friday- 
brigge, by the queen’s majesty,, for her lands belonging 
to the dissolved monastery of Crowland, to be four feet 
deeper, and to hold twenty feet in breadth. 

At a session of sewers held at Wisbech, Sir John 1589. 
Peyton, John Col vile, John Repps, Thomas Hewar, 


* For the history of this ancient and honourable family, see title 
44 Emneth,” amongst the adjoining villages. 


38 


HISTORY OF 


Charles Balam, and others, gave their approbation to 
certain new sewers in Elm and Welle, which were found 
to be most beneficial, and thereupon order was made 
for continuance thereof. 

a.d. A session of sewers was held by Edmund Bell, 

1596. Thomas Hewar, Alexander Balam, Esquires, and others, 
concerning the course of Welney and Welle streams, 
and other sewers, when it was ordained that those 
streams, from Littleport Chayre to Well Ee, and so 
towards Elm, (as the same had been accustomed) and 
also March stream unto Shrewsnest, as well as the 
waters of South Ee, anciently called the Old Ee, from 
Clow’s Cross into Guyhirn, should be all forthwith 
cleansed and scoured. 

1608. Also, 6th James I. at a session of sewers then held, 
a strong and sufficient sluice of stone and brick was 
ordered to be set up at the Horse-shoe # below Wisbech. 
This sluice did not stand seven days, but was blown up 
by the tides.f Nevertheless, it was agreed, that after 
the river was again cleansed to a sufficient depth, there 
should be a new sluice erected, if need required. 

1616. At a further session of sewers, held 15th James I. 
before Francis, lord Russel, and others, the following 
decree was made: That the great river of Wisbech, 
from the sea to Wisbech bridge, thence to the Mouth, 
and so to Guyhirn Cross, should be cleansed to the 
ancient breadth and old bottom, and that Morton’s Leam 
should be scoured from Guyhirn Cross upwards. 


* Dugdale, p. 399. 

t Ibid. p. 400. The erecting this sluice is afterwards said to have 
given occasion to the decay of Wisbech river. 


WISBECH. 


39 


Also, about twenty years after, when this order for a.d. 
deepening Wisbech river was carried into effect, the 1636. 
workmen, as before observed, at eight feet below the 
then bottom, came to another bottom, which was stony, 
and found in it boats which had been overwhelmed with 
silth for many ages. Various other presentments have 
been made at divers periods, but these are introduced to 
shew the increasing progressive interest of the public, 
and of the inhabitants, towards the improvement of the 
country and the outfall of its waters.* 

The Alteration in the Course of the Nene , by Bishop 
Morton’s new Learn , and the subsequent Cut now 
called Smith’s Leam , leading the Waters by Guyhirn 
through Wisbech. 

When the ancient outfall of the Nene by Spalding 
and Wisbech became defective, the waters of that river 
were found to annoy the body of the isle of Ely by 
being forced to take their passage, some by Standground, 
and some by Horsey Bridge, into Whittlesey Mere, thence 
into Ramsey Mere, and so round about; part thereof 
falling at Great Cross, by a drain called Plant Water, to 
Guyhirn, and proceeding thence to Wisbech; whilst 
other part took a course below March, to Elm Leam, 
where it again divided; one branch taking the course 
to Wisbech, and the other by Shrewsnest Point and 


* Many other ancient orders and presentments, made by commissioners 
of sewers, are collected in a book now deposited and kept by the Capital 
Burgesses of Wisbech, amongst their other writings and records. These 
documents appear generally to relate to the removing of obstructions 
and annoyances in the great river, the support and reparation of the banks, 
the scouring out of Elm river, the making of a bank round Waldersea and 
Coldham, and also the scouring out of Wisbech south side drain. 


40 


HISTORY OF 


Outwell, through Well creek, to Salter’s Lode, into the 
Ouse,—still overflowing the isle in their way. Therefore, 
Morton, then Bishop of Ely, # in order to prevent so 
large a portion of the waters of the Nene from passing 
into the isle of Ely by Standground ; and for the more 
speedy conveyance thereof from out of the said isle, as 
well as more effectually to recover the outfall at Wisbech; 
made a straight cut, or new river, forty feet wide and 
about twelve miles long, beginning at the high grounds 
within a short distance of Peterborough, and continuing 
the same in a direct line from thence to Guyhirn. The 
relief afforded by this work was ineffectual, on account 
of its being cut shallow, and affording but little earth 
for banks; and after some time, several gravels being 
laid into it for the convenience of carting and riding 
across, and other impediments obstructing the free 
course of the water, the levels still continued to suffer 
much injury, and the watercourse thus effected was 
subsequently abandoned, f as will be shewn in the 
History of the North Level. 

* Bishop Morton was a man of great abilities, firmly attached to the 
interests of Edward IV. and negociated the marriage between Henry, earl 
of Richmond, afterwards Henry VII. and Elizabeth, eldest daughter of 
Edward IV. and thus provided for the future tranquillity of the kingdom, by 
making a coalition of the divided houses. In 1487, he was made Lord 
High Chancellor of England. 

t See p. 21, where the anci.ent course of the Nene is stated to have 
taken a direction from Great Cross, by Guyhirn, to Wisbech. About the 
place where the cut met the river at Guyhirn, Bishop Morton built a tower 
of brick, that he might see his workmen afar off in the level, and give such 
directions as, were requisite. This cut or drain was known by the name of 
the New Learn. Badeslade, p. 113, 114. 

Bishop Morton is said also to have continued the same cut through 
Wisbech, for the more speedy delivery of the waters, and attempted to 
cut through the sea dyke, Wysebeche, at Bevy’s Cross, and again at East- 
field end, nigh the Horse-shoe, in Leverington, which banks were, in less 


WISBECH. 


41 


Application for a General Drainage of the Level . 

The preceding remarks will shew that attempts at < 
improving and draining the great level were made as 
early as the reign of Edward I. (1292.) In 1438, 
Gilbert Haltoft,* one of the barons of the exchequer, 
having procured a commission for draining the country, 
proceeded in making laws for all the dams, See. in the 
river of Wisbech, to be taken up from Guyhirn to the 
sea ; and other plans for improvement were from time 
to time tried with varied success. Divers representations 
too had been made to government for the purpose of 
granting commissions for cleaning the outfalls to lead 
the waters to sea; but the reign of Elizabeth (as ob¬ 
served by Mr. Gough) may be properly fixed on as the 
period “ when the great level began to become a public 
care; ” for in the 43d year of her majesty’s reign, an 
act of parliament was passed, intituled, “ An Act for 
u recovering many hundred thousand Acres of Marshes 
“ and other Grounds, subject commonly to surrounding, 
“ within the Isle of Ely, and the Counties of Cambridge, 

Huntingdon, Northampton, &c.” No proceedings, 


Ilian thirty years before, ordained by commissioners to be maintained, i. e. 
from the first slope of the bank fifty feet;—and so made a new outfall from 
Wisbech to the four Gowts, and thence to the sea. Dug. p. 373. 

The river of Wisbeche, a little above the great bridge, within the 
memory of man, running crooked, was cut straight, and so to this day 
continueth. Ibid. 

The works done by Bishop Morton are said for a time to have caused 
improvements, and that the current and fall of the water at Wisbech was 
so great, that no man would adventure under the bridge with a boat but by 
veering through. Cole. 

* Baron Haltoft had a manor and property at Outwell, in the time of 
Jlenry VI. 


HISTORY OF 


however, appear to have been entered upon in pursuance 
of’ this act, and it is not improbable that the scheme was 
fuistrated by the death of the queen, which happened 
within two years afterwards. Sir John Popham, Lord 
Chief Justice of England, next followed ; he procured 
an act of parliament for making new drains and a new 
river, # which was begun in 1605, but Sir John dying, it 
was stopped up on account of the insufficiency of the 
banks. Four years afterwards, it was renewed and cut 
two feet deeper, for the benefit of most part of the isle 
of Ely, and specially for the hundred of Wisbech ; but 
this new river being also stopped, the country lay in its 
former state, and on the death of Sir John, this whole 
project was abandoned. 

Notwithstanding these disappointments, the drainage 
of a certain part of the level on the south side of 
Wisbech, called Waldersey, was attempted by Francis 
Tindall, Esq. and others, and carried into effect by an 
act of parliament obtained 4th James I. c. 13, intituled, 
“ An Act for draining of certain Fens and low Grounds 
“ of the Isle of Ely, subject to hurt by surrounding, 
“ containing about 6,000 Acres, compassed about with 
“ certain Banks, called and named the Ring of Wal- 
“ dersey and Coldham.” Thus the small district of 
Waldersey may be said to have taken the lead in the 
great work of drainage, under parliamentary authority. 
The provisions of that act are the basis upon which all 
public proceedings of the proprietors are grounded to 
this day, and the drainage of that portion is still 


* Badeslade, p. 24 , 25. From March river, to fall into Well creek, 
and from thence to Salter’s-lode, the river was to have been eighty feet 
wide and eight feet deep. 


WISBECH. 


43 


preserved distinct, and unconnected with the other parts 
of the level.* The adventurers received as a recompence 
two-thirds of the whole of the lands drowned. 

The persons, who next attempted to proceed with the 
important undertaking of the drainage of the level, were 
the earl of Arundel, Sir William Ayloffe, Baronet, and 
Anthony Thomas, Esq.J* but their proposals not being 
agreeable to those who acted as commissioners on behalf 
of the proprietors, king James the first himself resolved 
to become adventurer, and declared by his letters patent 
that he himself would undertake it, on condition of 
receiving 120,000 acres as a remuneration. J The king’s 
political embarrassments, however, prevented any steps 
being taken for carrying this measure into actual exe¬ 
cution. 

In the 6th year of king Charles I. Sir Cornelius 
Vermuyden, born and educated in Holland, contracted 
for the draining of the level, and was to have for his 
recompence 95,000 acres. The country, however, con¬ 
sidering Sir Cornelius as a foreigner, shewed great 
aversion to him, and thwarted his plans very much; 
and at length suit was made to Francis, earl of Bedford, 
a nobleman of high birth and rank, and endowed with 
great and amiable qualities, as well as active in all 
matters that tended to the public good, who was ear- 


* Dugdale, p. 38 7 . 

t Ibid. p. 401. In his History of Embankment is a map representing 
the great level as it lay drowned—meaning as it lay drowned before the 
general undertaking ; “ whereof,” he observes, “ we have in our times 
“ been eye witnesses.” p. 37 5. 
t Ibid. p. 408. 


44 


HISTORY OF 


nestly solicited to undertake the work of drainage, to 
which the said earl, actuated by principles of public 
spirit, gave his consent, and associated other adventurers 
with himself. The contract made with the country was, 
that the earl and his co-adventurers were to receive from 
the proprietors a third part of the whole, or 95,000 acres, 
to be set out in several parts of the level, together with 
the ways, passages, forelands, new rivers, cuts, drains, 
and fishings of the same, to be made by them, and 
which were vested in the said earl and his participants. 
55,000 acres were adjudged to the earl and the other 
adventurers, subject to no incumbrance ; and the residue, 
about 40,000 acres, were to remain as a fund, from the 
annual profits of which the works of drainage were to be 
maintained and continued. This agreement was confirmed 
by a commission of sewers, at which were present, Sir 
John Bevill, Knight, of Chesterton, Sir John Peyton, 

a.d. Sir John Bell, and others, to the number of forty, held 

1630. at Lynn 13th January, (6th Charles I.) and thence called 
“ The Lynn Law; ” and by an indenture, afterwards 
signed by Francis, earl of Bedford, and others, on 

1631. the 27th February, (7th Charles 1.)* the terms of such 
agreement are particularized. 

Undertaking by Francis, Earl of Bedford. 

1634. In the 10th year of the reign of king Charles I. 
a charter of incorporation was granted, with certain 
privileges to the earl, and thirteen other persons, 
adventurers and participants with him, among whom 
were Oliver, earl of Bolingbroke, lord Gorges, Sir 


* See Cole’s Bedford Level Laws. 


WISBECH. 


45 


Bobert Bevill, 8tc. They cut 83,000 acres of the land 
into twenty lots or shares, containing 4,000 acres in a 
lot, as equal in value as could be then well judged, (the 
remaining 3,000 acres lying overplus); and proceeded 
therein to the expenditure of about £ 100,000.* and at 
a session of sewers held on the 12th October, (13th a.d. 
Charles I.) the commissioners decreed the level to be 1637. 
drained according to the intent of “ the Lynn law.” 
However, at a commission of sewers at Huntingdon, 
held on 12th April following, the work was declared 1638. 
to be incomplete,f and his majesty Charles I. thereupon 
undertook the better draining thereof, but was to have an 
addition of 57,000 acres, on the levels’ being made good 
winter ground. The king went on with the undertaking 
until his unhappy wars and difficulties took place,J 
which, preventing any further progress in the works, 
they fell into decay, and so continued for several years, 
and the country having received no benefit by the 
draining, entered upon the 95,000 acres again, and no 

* The works made were the old Bedford river, Sam’s cut from Feltwell 
to Ouse, a cut to drain Mildenhall river in Burnt Fen, and Bevil’s Leam from 
Whittlesey Mere to Guyhirn ; they likewise made a great sluice at Well 
creek end, to keep the tides out of the river. t Badeslade. 

X It was his majesty's intention also to have built a town in the midst 
of the level, at Manea, and to have called it Charlemont, the design whereof 
he drew himself; and he caused a bank on the south side of Morton’s Leam, 
extending from Peterborough to Wisbech, to be made, and began a like 
bank on the north side ; he also caused a new river to be cut between the 
stone sluice at the Horse-slioe and the sea below Wisbech, of sixty feet in 
breadth, and about two miles and a half in length, with banks on both sides 
thereof, and placed a sluice in the marshes below Tid, upon the outfall of 
Shire Drain, which afterwards was swallowed up by the quick sands. Dug. 
p. 114. On the side of the channel below Gunthorpe, the compiler of this 
work saw, in 1822, the top of a sluice, which, by its inclined situation, 
seemed to have been undermined, and most probably is the sluice here 
mentioned to have been placed by king Charles the first. 


46 


HISTORY OF 


more works were done until after the death of the king, 
and also of the said Francis, earl of Bedford, 

a.d. At length, in the year 1649, William, earl of Bedford, 
1649. his heir and successor, and his participants, renewed 
the undertaking on the terms of the Lynn law, except 
that instead of 40,000 acres allotted as a fund for the 
continuance of the work of draining, the whole 95,000 
acres were to be taxed for that purpose ; and an appli¬ 
cation being made to the assembly at \Westminster, then 
called the Parliament, for their sanction, an act, since 
called the “ Pretended Act of Parliament,” was passed 
in the year 1649, to promote the undertaking; upon 
which, the earl proceeded so far therein, as to perfect 
the same at the further charge of about £300,000. # 
though to the ruin of many adventurers; and having 
accomplished the whole work within the compass of five 
years, the said level was, by a decree of sewers on the 
4653. 25th of March in the year 1653, adjudged to be fully 
drained. Whereupon the said earl and his participants 
had possession of those 95,000 acres awarded to them, 
and from the time that the land in the said great level 
was adjudged to the adventurers, the said 95,000 acres, 
liable to a perpetual tax for draining, have been known 
by the name of Adventurers’ Lands, and the remainder, 
not being liable to be taxed for general works, have been 
called Free Lands. 

* The expense of this work was enormous to the noble family of the 
Bedfords, for in order to raise money for carrying it on, they sold many 
manors in Devonshire, and many houses and lands in the parish of Saint 
Martin in the Fields, reserving only out of part thereof small fee-farm 
rents, prior to the time of Saint Paul’s, Covent Garden, being made a 
parish, which was then part of Saint Martin’s in the Fields. An Inquiry 
into Facts, 1775. p.35. 


WISBECII. 


47 


Act of 1 5th Charles II. for constituting a Corporation to 
settle the Drainage of the Great Level. 

By the restoration of king Charles the second to the 
crown, the acts of the convention parliament became 
invalid; but for the better encouraging of the said earl 
and his participants in so great a work, and to form a 
system of laws for the due government thereof, an act a.d. 
was obtained in the 15th year of king Charles II. 1662. 
entitled, “ An Act for settling the Draining of the 
“ Great Level of the Fens called Bedford Level. ” 

By this act, under which the Bedford level laws 
are now administered, the boundaries of the level are 
declared, and a corporation is constituted for governing 
the level, by the name of the “ Governor, Bailiffs, and 
“ Commonalty of the Company of Conservators of the 
u Great Level of the Fens ; v which corporation con¬ 
sists of one governor, six bailiffs, twenty conservators 
and commonalty, who are empowered to use a common 
seal, and to purchase lands not exceeding £200. per 
annum, and goods and chattels, and to dispose thereof 
in the name and to the use of the corporation; and to 
assemble and meet together when, where, and as often 
as they please; and to appoint a register, receiver, one 
or more serjeants at mace, and other officers, and allow 
them salaries, and remove them and make new at their 
pleasure: and 83,000 acres, over and above 10,000 
acres assigned to his majesty, and 2,000 acres to other 
grantees, (making together the said 95,000 acres) are 
vested in the said corporation, with the ways, passages, 
new rivers, cuts, drains, banks, and forelands made by 
Francis and William, earls of Bedford, and their parti¬ 
cipants, in trust for the earls of Bedford and their 


48 


HISTORY OF 


participants, according to such parts and proportions a# 
they held and enjoyed at the time of passing the act, 
to be held of the king of the manor of East Greenwich, 
by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not 
otherwise; and the said 10,000 acres are vested in his 
majesty accordingly. 

The governor, bailiffs, and conservators, or any five 
or more of them, (whereof the said governor or bailiffs, 
or any of them, to be two) are empowered to act in 
all cases as commissioners of sewers within the said 
level, or of the works made without, and to exercise 
such laws as are used in Romney Marsh, and may lay 
taxes on the 95,000 acres only, for support, mainte¬ 
nance, and preservation of the said level, and levy the 
same, with penalties for non-payment, not exceeding the 
third part of the tax; and do all other things in order 
to the support, maintenance, and preservation of the 
said great level, and works made and to be made 
within or without the said level, for carrying the waters 
of the level to its outfall, as they in their judgment 
think best. And no other commissioners of sewers 
are to intermeddle in the said level, or with the works 
thereunto belonging out of the said level. 

All conveyances of the 95,000 acres are to be entered 
with the register, and no lease, grant, or conveyance of, 
or charge out of or upon the said 95,000 acres, or any 
part thereof, except leases for seven years in possession, 
shall be of force, but from the time they shall be en¬ 
tered with the register. 

And the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, and 
commonalty, upon Wednesday in Whitsun week yearly. 


WISBECH. 


49 


at a public meeting to be then held of the said corpo¬ 
ration, by the greater number then present, (whereof the 
said governor or one of the bailiffs is to be one) are to 
elect the governor, bailiffs, and conservators respectively 
for the year ensuing; provided that none be capable to 
be or continue governor or bailiff that hath not 400 
acres or more of the said 95,000 acres ; nor to be a con¬ 
servator that hath not 200 acres or more of the said 
95,000 acres; nor any of the commonalty to have a 
Voice in elections that hath not 100 acres or more of 
the said 95,000 acres. And the said governor, bailiffs, 
conservators, and officers are (before they proceed to 
act) to take an oath, “ well and truly to execute the 
“ office.” And the said governor, bailiffs, conservators, 
and commonalty are the corporation for taking the 
accounts of their officers; and if any suit be commenced 
against the said corporation or any person, for any matter 
or thing done in pursuance of the last-mentioned act of 
king Charles, then he or they may plead the general 
issue, and give the special matter in evidence upon any 
trial to be had touching the same. 

By the same act it is declared, that if any breaches 
happen in any of the banks, sluices, &c. or other works 
of drainage in or out of the said level, for the carrying 
of the waters of the said level to their outfalls, by 
reason of some inevitable accident, that the same are to 
be repaired by the said corporation in convenient time, 
but no other charge to be laid on the said corporation; 
nor to give any recompense for any loss or damage, which 
hath or shall happen by reason of their making such 
necessary and sufficient banks, for defending the said 
level from being overflowed, and for leading the waters 

D 


HISTORY OF 


of the level into their channels; and it is declared, that 
the drainage and future maintenance of the great level 
ought to be without prejudice to navigation. 

Of the 83,000 acres, part of the 95,000 acres which 
were at the first undertaking cut into lots, every ad¬ 
venturer then had his share in that division of good and 
bad land, and all lands were taxed alike per acre; but 
afterwards, being divided into divers hands, as people 
became purchasers of good or bad, the bad land alone 
would not bear the burthen of the tax; for there being 
much difference in the soil of the said lands, and some 
parts much more subject to overflowing than others, and 
not capable of being so well drained, therefore, by 
another act, (20th Charles II.) the 95,000 acres were for 
the future to be rated by way of a gradual acre tax, of 
eleven sorts or degrees of land, as are particularly men¬ 
tioned in the lots, except the 12,000 acres, which are 
rated at the medium of such tax. And the serjeant at 
mace of the great level, by precepts under the seal of 
the corporation, in the nature of a writ of habere facias 
'possessionem at common law, is to deliver possession to 
such purchaser as shall purchase for non-payment of 
taxes any part of the said 95,000 acres. By this act 
it is directed at what time the taxes shall be set, which 
are to be on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, or 
one of them, after the first Sunday in April in every 
year,* and to sell lands for non-payment of taxes on 


* From the alteration in the stile, by the act 24th Geo. II. 1751, the 
April meeting is to he holden eleven days later; — therefore, take the first 
eleven days out of April, and look for the first Sunday after the eleventh 
day, and the Wednesday after that Sunday will be the first day of the 
April meeting. 





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LEVEL OF THE FEES. 

—— CALLED- 

BEDFORD LEVEL, 

‘Cliy- as Divided i/do g_j,g* 

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Scale of Mile.! 

























































WISBECH. 


51 


the like days, or some or one of them. Several other 
powers and authorities are granted to the said corpo¬ 
ration by the aforesaid acts, as by reference thereto 
will appear. 

The undertakers for the general drainage of the fens 
thereupon commenced several important works, and in 
1651 began the new Bedford river, and then proceeded 
to erect sluices in the Ouse, one at the Hermitage, and 
one at Denver; which latter sluice, being built in 1652, 
was undermined and destroyed in 1713, and again set 
down in 1749. # 

The Division of the Great Level into three Districts. 

At a court of the corporation of the Bedford level, 
held on 10th March, 1697, it was declared that the 
great level should be divided into three districts, dis¬ 
tinguished by the several names of 

MIDDLE LEVEL 
SOUTH LEVEL 
NORTH LEVEL. 


* In consequence of building Denver sluice, St. John’s Eau was cut in 
1653, and Tong’s drain in 1667. When the adventurers cut the hundred- 
feet river, and fixed the sluice at Hermitage, they also erected one at 
Denver for the preservation of the south level; — the Lynn merchants 
complained of the bad effects of this sluice on the harbour. A petition 
was presented to parliament to take away Denver sluice, and after the 
question had been long agitated, a hill was at length, in the 8th of king 
William, brought into parliament, where it was thoroughly discussed. 
Counsel were heard at the bar, many witnesses examined, much time 
spent in inquiry, and at length the intended bill for removing Denver sluice 
was rejected by a great majority. 

D 2 


HISTORY OF 


The north level is declared to be that part which lies 
on the north side of Morton’s Learn, and the south side 
of the river Welland. 

The middle level, that part which lies between 
Morton’s Leam and the north bank of the old Bedford 
river. 

And the south level is from the south bank of the 
old Bedford river, to Stoke, Feltwell, Mildenhall, and 
the upland country thereto adjoining. 

These lands are rated by way of a gradual acre tax, 
of eleven sorts or degrees, as before stated, from seven 
pence to six shillings and fivepence per acre. The 
yearly tax exceeds £8,000. and supposing it to be 
£ 8,368. 8.?. 8 d. to be raised in the year, the middle 
and south levels would be charged with £7,634. 3.s. 2 \d. 
and the north level only with £ 734. 5s. 5^d. by reason 
that the taxes, which would otherwise have been charge¬ 
able thereon, have been purchased off by his grace the 
duke of Bedford.* 


* In the year 1783, an act was passed called “ The Turf Act,” 
intituled, “ An Act to enable the Corporation of the Governor, Bailiffs, 
“ and Commonalty of the Company of Conservators of the Great Level of 
“ the Fens, to sell their Taxes of certain Lands within the Middle and 
“ South Levels, part of the said Great Level, which have been or may be 
“ dug for Turf, and to apply the Money arising from such Sale, in dis- 
charging the Bond Debts of the said Corporation on account of those 
“ Levels.” By this act, the corporation are empowered to sell the taxes 
wherewith such [tarts of the said 95,000 acres within the Middle and South 
Levels as lu.d 1 een or might be cut for turf, were then chargeable, and 
the money arising by such sale, to be applied towards discharging the 
debts of the corporation on account of the middle and south levels;—under 
which act, 824a. 3r. 28p. were sold, the tax upon which amounted to 
£ 93. 16s. 7| d. 


WISBECH. 


53 


The chief officers of the corporation in the several 
districts are a surveyor-general,* a registrar, an auditor 
of the accounts, a receiver and expenditor-general, a ser¬ 
geant at mace, one superintendant of the north level, three 
ditto of the middle level, one ditto of the south level. 

As to the Middle and South Levels , and the Improvement 
of their Outfall by the Ouse and Eau Brink Cut. 

The south level, including the high lands within its 
boundary, contains about 173,000 acres, and the middle 
level about 120,000 acres; the waters of both these levels 
pass down the river Ouse, through the town of Lynn, to 
their outfall at the sea. Before the division of the 
great level, the interest of all the fens was completely 
interwoven and blended together, but on its separation 
into districts, the consequence followed, that what re¬ 
lated to the one had very little connexion with the other. 

The lands within the districts of the middle and south 
levels continued subject to frequent inundations, and 
complaints were still made of the imperfect state of the 
drainage; to remedy which, in some measure, the earl of a.d, 
Bedford, with his participants in the general undertaking, 1650, 
defended the middle level by a large bank from Peter¬ 
borough to Wisbech.f 

At a session of sewers holden at Lynn in 1709, on a 
presentation by the jury, they prayed that the court 
“ would order some person of skill and probity to find a 
“ sufficient outfall, ” but nothing effectual was done. 

The plan of deserting the old course of the Ouse, and 


* The Bedford level act does not recognize this office, 
if Dugdale, p. 415. 


54 


HISTORY OF 


making a new cut from Eau Brink to Lynn, was first pro¬ 
posed about the year 1720, by Mr. Kinderley,* who 
declared that the great impediment to drainage and navi¬ 
gation was the wide, shallow, and crooked channel of the 
river Ouse between St. German’s bridge and Lynn, and 
that whilst this remained unremedied, all interior works 
would be of little use; many prejudices, however, existed 
against such a plan, which met with violent opposition. 

When impediments w ere found to increase in the Lynn 
navigation, it was thought necessary to scour out the 
rivers and drains, and application was made to the Bedford 
level corporation for their assistance in cleansing the 
channel of the river Nene, which falls by the two branches 
of Well creek and Popham’s eau into the Ouse at Salter’s 
Lode, and making it deeper; and the parties having 
agreed on the outlines of a plan, an act of parliament 
was obtained in the 27th Geo. II. 1753,f whereby the 
corporation renounced their sole power over the river, and 
thereupon united with a stated number of land proprietors, 


* He was a conservator of the great level of the fens, and had devoted 
the greatest part of a long life to the particular study of drainage. 

t By the act 27th Geo. II. commonly called the Nene Act, the cor¬ 
poration of Bedford level were appointed commissioners for preserving the 
navigation of the river, united with the mayor and corporation of Lynn, ten 
inhabitants from Peterborough, six inhabitants fromWhittlesea, (beingowners 
of lands in the middle level,) and one each from Doddington, Benwick, and 
Wimblington, three from March, four from Ramsey, two each from Chatteris, 
Manea, and Welney, four from Upwell, two from Outwell, (being all respect 
tively owners of lands in the middle level,) four inhabitants from Downhara 
in Norfolk, and two from Tlirapston, Islip, Oundle, Yaxley, lvelton, Elton, 
and Thornliaugh. 

In the year 1823, a proposition was made for bringing a bill into parlia¬ 
ment to amend the act of 27th Geo. II. and to improve the river Nene by 
deepening and widening the same, but after a few meetings and discussions 
on the intended measure, the bill was withdrawn. 


WISBECH, 


55 


chosen from the south and middle districts, in raising 
a fund to be appropriated to scour out and deepen the 
bed of the Nene and its communicating branches; tolls 
were granted for completing and maintaining the naviga¬ 
tion, and commissioners appointed to contract for the 
works necessary to be done; and the commissioners were 
to have full power to make orders and decrees for pre¬ 
serving the said navigation, but the rights and powers of 
the Bedford level corporation were not, in any other 
respect than as mentioned in that act, to be diminished. 
The drainage of these levels still continuing in an im¬ 
perfect state, Mr. ^inderley (the son of the former 
gentleman) was about this time consulted thereon, who 
ventured to assert with confidence, that the only remedy 
was the making of a new cut from Eau Brink to Lynn, 
and that all other schemes would, in the end, prove 
ineffectual; the plan, however, still met with powerful 
opposition.* At a subsequent period, in 1775, governor 
Pownall addressed a memorial to the corporations of 
Bedford level and of Lynn, on the necessity of a new 
cut, and Mr. Golborne, an engineer, was employed to 
view, report, and give his opinion on a plan for a general 
drainage; he also pronounced on the necessity of such a 
new river, and asserted it could not fail of giving im¬ 
mediate relief to both these levels.^ 


* Mr. Kinderley also proposed a scheme for altering the channel of the 
Wisbech river, by cutting through Marshland, thereby to bring the Nene 
into the Ouse at Lynn; it is demonstrable that the fall would have been so 
great as to discharge all the water that could be led into it; but as this new 
cut was to draw the water from the Wisbech river, the gentlemen of property 
in and near, and merchants of Wisbech, would not acquiesce in a proposal 
that might tend to injure their navigation so materially, and upon this prin¬ 
ciple, such a proposal met with the warmest and most active opposition from 
that quarter. 

t It was observed by Vancouver, at this time, that the waters of the 
middle level, being diverted from their natural course by the present forced 


56 


HISTORY OF 


In the years 1791 and 1792, a more general interest 
began to be excited, and meetings of persons interested 
in the improvement of the outfall of the Ouse were held 
in different towns, when the probable consequences of 
the intended cut were freely discussed. These meetings 
were numerously attended at various places, and it was 
declared by decided and large majorities, that the plan 
of making a new cut from Eau Brink to Lynn was the 
only likely method to render the drainage of the country 
perfect. The inhabitants of Lynn still continued their 
objections to the measure, which, they said, if adopted, 
would be productive of a train of injuries and fatal 
consequences to their port, for that the mouth of the cut 
opening at once in so broad a channel, full of loose 
shifting sands, extending more than fifteen miles to deep 
w^ater, would be the cause of raising bars of sand and 
silth, which would choke up and destroy the harbour to 
sea, and thus obstruct the passage of the waters to their 
outfall; fears were also entertained by others, that the 
force of the water through the cut w ould be so great as to 
endanger their town and harbour, and indeed the original 
act seems to corroborate this apprehension, as a clause 
is introduced by the inhabitants of Lynn, for power to 
execute works for the better security and more effectual 
preservation of their town and harbour. In 1792, at a 


system of drainage in the river Nene at Outwell, arrive within ten miles 
(reckoned on the general course of the old Ouse river) of Guntliorp sluice, 
through which all the waters of the north level are freely uttered, but from 
Outwell church, the waters of the Nene are driven six miles further, before 
they can obtain a very slow and languid descent, to seaward, through Salter’s 
Lode sluice; the same erroneous system prevails in the whole drainage of 
the middle and the greater part of the south level of the fens, and is the legi¬ 
timate offspring of the first diversion of old Ouse from its natural channel, 
and forcing its waters into the Lynn or lesser Ouse, through the cut which 
yvas formerly made from Littleport Chayre to Priest’s Houses. Vancouver, 
App. p. 9, 10. 


WISBECH. 


57 


general session of sewers holden at Lynn, the river Ouse, 
or channel between St. German’s bridge and Lynn, was 
presented by the jury as being silted up, whereby the 
works of sewers were greatly impeded, and the court 
came to a resolution, “ that the most probable mode of 
“ obtaining relief for the country would be by making 
“ a new river from Eau Brink to Lynn, through the 
“ marshes, agreeable to the plan recommended by 
“ Messrs. Mylne, Golborne, and Watte.”* After various 
meetings at Ely, Cambridge, March, Lynn, &c. a bill 
was at length proposed, which in the year 1795 passed 
into a law, by the title of “ An Act for improving the 
“ Drainage of the Middle and South Levels, part of the 
“ Great Level of the Fens called Bedford Level, as also of 
“ the Lands adjoining or near to the River Ouse, and 
“ altering the Navigation by a new Cut from Eau Brink 
il to Lynn,” by which act the commissioners of drainage 
were empowered to make a new river or cut, to branch 
out of the river Ouse, near a place called Eau Brink, 
through certain lands and grounds, so as to fall again 
into the present course of the said river Ouse at or near 
the harbour of King’s Lynn; the whole to measure 
from bank to bank 370 feet in breadth at the upper 
end of the cut, and the width of the channel formed 
by the said cut, at the junction with the present 
channel near Lynn, was to be not less than 278 yards, f 
This act, after it was obtained, continued without any 
active operation until about the year 1804, when a further 
amended act was passed, ever since which period the 

* The opinions of Messrs. Mylne, James Golborne, Watte, Hudson, 
Rennie, &c. were unequivocally in favor of the cut. 

t 278 yards was calculated as the actual width of the narrowest part of 
the harbour at or near to the ferry landing place. Act 35th Geo. III. c.77. 
s. 17. 


58 


HISTORY OF 


works relating to the Eau Brink have been in constant 
progress, and have also proved a continued source of 
contention and expense ; five other acts have been since 
passed for increasing the tax and enlarging the powers of 
the former acts; at length, in the year 1819,* the exca¬ 
vation of this important work was begun, and after two 
years’ operation, the cut was opened on 30th June 1821.f 
A bridge has also been erected over the new cut, just 
above the harbour of Lynn, which has opened a land 
communication between Lynn and Marshland, much 
nearer than by St. German’s; these improvements and 
accommodations will no doubt lead to a progressive in¬ 
crease of population in this district, culture be more en¬ 
couraged, and the proprietors of land greatly benefited. 

After three years* experience of the effect of the waters 
passing through this new and confined channel, it was 
found that the port of Lynn had sustained deterioration, 
which it was stated was so progressively increasing, that 
its very existence, as a harbour, was threatened; opinions 
of engineers were taken thereon, who recommended the 
cut to be widened, and at a meeting at Cambridge, in 
August 1825, it was resolved to increase the sectional 

* In cutting this new work, at the depth of twenty-two feet from the 
surface of the earth, and in a bed of chingle, a quantity of various kinds of 
marine shells was found, and from thence was taken out a pair of beautiful 
antlers, attached to the upper part of a scull, with every tooth remaining 
in its socket, in a perfect state, corresponding exactly w 7 ith the ordinary 
description of the roe-buck. Above the chingle, in a stratum of strong 
ooze, about ten feet thick, quantities of alder roots and trees were found. 
See p. 15. 

t This event was celebrated by a grand dinner, given by the Eau Brink 
commissioners, at the town hall of Lynn, at which the lit. Hon. Lord William 
Cavendish Bentinck presided, supported by Sir Joseph Yorke, K, C. B. and 
many of the great landed proprietors of the country. 


% 








J’uHished- byJT.& JXeas/i , WtsbeMm. 














































WISBECH. 


59 


area thereof, not exceeding one-third. A contract was 
accordingly entered into with Sir Edward Banks for 
executing this work, for the sum of £ 33,000. and the 
operation of widening was commenced in February 
1826.* Many other acts have been procured within 
the last seventy years, for draining separate districts 
of the country, but no alteration is made in the consti¬ 
tution of the corporation of Bedford level, except as 
to the north level, these acts all containing a clause, 
reserving the powers of the corporation as established 
by 15th Charles II. 

As to the A orth Level, and the Separation thereof from 
the Middle and South Levels , and the Improvement of 
its Outfall by Crabb-IIole . 

The north level, including the high land within its 
boundary, contains about 48,000 acres. As the waters 
of the middle and south levels passed down the river 
Ouse, through Lynn, to their outfall at the sea, so the 
waters of the north level passed through the interior 
of the same, and fell into the bay or estuary for the 
discharge of the river Nene, called Cross Keys Wash. 
The waters from this district are conveyed to Clow’s 
Cross f by the old and new South Eau, and by the 


* The original expense of this important work was estimated at 
80,000. but upwards of £ 300,000. have already been expended in 
purchasing land, making compensations, engineers’ bills, excavating the 
rivers, &c. besides the last-mentioned sum of ^33,000. agreed to be 
paid for widening the cut, and the original tax of fourpence per acre 
has been raised to two shillings. 

t This drain fell into the river Nene by Shire Gowt, about five miles 
below Wisbech, and was said to be the best drain to preserve the north 
side of Wisbech. The next cut to Clow’s Cross is Peakirk Drain, 
which, by its low situation, is the best drain in this division of the fens ; 
it is a cut of great antiquity, dug twenty-three feet broad, before the 


60 


HISTORY OF 


counter drain running under the north bank of Morton’s 
Leam Wash, and from thence by the Shire drain to the 
Nene at Gunthorpe sluice ; but this outfall being found 
ineffectual, methods were from time to time proposed for 
better preserving the outfall of the Nene waters, as well 
for the benefit of navigation as of drainage. Even so 
early as the year 1613,* it is stated by Dugdale, that a 
certain presentment was made at Lynn, by a jury for 
the hundred of Freebridge, in Marshland, as follows:— 
“ In our opinion, upon our view taken, the waters of 
“ Wisbech and Elm might be carried at this time a 
“ nearer way to the sea, viz. from the four Gowts over 
“ Tidd Marsh and Sutton Marshes, into a creek there, 
u called King’s Creek,f and thence to fall into the deep 
“ called Lutton Leam, and so to the sea, which is the 
“ shortest course of the river by six miles, and hath a 

“ much better outfall.” 

$ 

Again, in the year 1618, the following presentment was 
made by commissioners of sewers: “ Also we find that 
“ King’s creek would be the best and safest outfall for 
“ conveyance of the fresh waters to the sea, if a new 
“ channel was cut; also we find the Shire drain to be 
“ a very fair sewer, and useful for the preservation of 
“ the north side of Wisbech.” 


adventurers were incorporated;—its progress is to Clow’s Cross, where 
it arrives, after receiving the waters of Thorney dyke, through part of 
the Gold dyke. Lahelye, 1745. 

* This presentment is noticed in a pamphlet, published in 1820, by 
Tycho Wing, Esq. the respected agent to his grace the duke of Bedford, 
for his grace’s estates in the north level, whose brother, father, and grand¬ 
father preceded him in that situation. It was signed by S. Fane, O. Crom¬ 
well, Robert Bevill, &c. Dugdale, p. 278. 

t King’s creek is said to he the ancient outfall of Wisbech. Bade- 
slade, p. 136. 


WISBECH. 


61 


The adventurers for the undertaking of the drainage A.m 
of the level before-mentioned deepened and scoured out 1610. 
the cut originally made by Bishop Morton, they also 
caused various channels to be made to carry off the 
superfluous water wherewith the level was so much 
annoyed, and amongst the rest, HilFs cut, near Peter¬ 
borough ; # still constant losses were sustained from 
inundation, so that the corporation of Bedford level 
were advised to desert the river altogether, and for 
the improvement of drainage, they, at their own ex¬ 
pense, resolved to make an entire new cut in Morton’s 
Learn Wash, nearer to the north bank, which was ulti¬ 
mately effected, at the charge of the Bedford level 
corporation, about the year 1728, under the direction of 
one Thomas Smith, a conservator, so that the present 
navigable cut, though frequently called Morton’s Learn, is, 
in fact, “ Smith’s Learn,” Morton’s Learn being deserted, 
and in a great measure landed up. Smith’s cut, which 
embraces a portion called Hill’s cut, was made in land 
purchased by the Bedford level corporation, in the 
wash, out of the corporation funds, and the waters pass 
on to Wisbech by this large wash, containing 3,500 
acres, which in times of land floods is covered several 
feet deep in water.f 

When the waters of the old Nene were divided by 
these cuts, part took their course as before, through the 


* About two miles in length and fifty feet in breadth; besides which, the 
Bedford river, Sam’s Cut, Bevill’s Learn, New South Eau, and Shire Drain, 
were all cut and widened. Dug. p. 410. 

t If the banks from Peterborough, by Guyliirn, to Wisbech, had been 
set only at a convenient distance one from another, and one fair cut for the 
waters to pass in, much money might thereby have been saved, and the 
work had been better ; for experience will shew, that waters kept together 
in a body pass swiftly, and mend their channel, but divided and dispersed, 
pass away very slowly, and lose their channel. Badeslade. 


62 


HISTORY OF 


isle, by Standground sluice, through Whittlesea Mere, 
Ugg Mere, and Ramsey Mere, in the county of Hun¬ 
tingdon, to their outfall below Lynn; and part through 
Smith’s Leam and the Wisbech river, to their outfall 
below Wisbech; but the navigation through the meres 
being at all times extremely tedious, difficult, and 
dangerous, vessels have, for many years, navigated from 
Standground sluice, through Whittlesey dyke, to a place 
called Flood’s Ferry, as a safer and nearer passage, and 
have thence proceeded through March, Well creek, and 
Salter’s Lode, where they communicate with the great 
Ouse. Notwithstanding the early diversion of the Ouse 
from its outfall at Wisbech, the waters of the Nene 
still continued for a long time to pass through March, 
pursuing their course by Elm Leam to Wisbech, and thus 
to the sea, but this latter ancient watercourse at length 
decayed and grew up. 

a.u. In 1721 or 1722, Kinderley proposed a cut below 

1721. Wisbech, for the purpose of turning the channel then 
meandering amongst the shifting sands, directly under 
Gunthorpe sluice, the outlet of the north level waters, 
which was actually begun; but the gentlemen of Wisbech, 
apprehensive that their navigation would be injured by 
the wide in-draught being lessened, caused the works to 
be forthwith demolished, and an injunction was afterwards 
obtained from the Lord Chancellor, to put an effectual 
stop to any further progress. The waters of the Nene, 
which now fall by Smith’s Leam into the Wisbech 
river at Guyhirn, and thence through the town of 
Wisbech, form a stream of considerable importance for 
navigation as well as drainage, often called the “river 
“ Nene,” though erroneously, the old Nene passing, 
as before observed, by Standground, through March, 
and from thence to Outwell and Salter’s Lode, into the 


WISBECH. 


63 


great Ouse; at Wisbech, the channel is known by no 
other name than “ the great river,” and is so denomi¬ 
nated in all legal proceedings. This river, which empties 
itself, by Cross Keys Wash, into the great bay or 
estuary at a place called the Eye, about thirteen miles 
distant from Wisbech, admits the flux and reflux of the 
tide, so as thereby to enable vessels of one hundred 
tons burthen, at spring tides, to come up and deliver 
their cargoes at the quays within the town. 

4 

The affairs of the Bedford level corporation becoming 
embarrassed, and constant jealousies arising amongst the 
proprietors of the different levels, a limited or partial 
separation of the north from the other levels, middle 
and south, at length became advisable, and was carried 
into effect by an act of 27th Geo. II. called the north a.d. 
level act, so far as respected their revenues; the several 1753. 
accounts between the levels themselves, and between 
the levels and the creditors of the corporation, being 
previously settled, there was due to the duke of Bedford 
and the earl of Lincoln, as principal proprietors of the 
north level, on account of that level, the sum of 
£ 18,900 and upwards, viz. to the duke of Bedford 
five sixths or £ 15,750. and the remaining one sixth, 

£ 3,150, to the earl of Lincoln, proprietor of the 
estate since belonging to lord Eardley. The duke of 
Bedford most generously remitted the whole of his debt, 
and the security was cancelled; the earl of Lincoln as 
generously concurred in the measure, and the transaction 
received the sanction of Parliament. The north level 
act directs the several works to which the said revenues 
were to be applied, one part to be under the immediate di¬ 
rection of the north level commissioners, and the other under 
the direction of the officer to the corporation of Bedford 


64 


HISTORY OF 


level; by the same act, a district of country, not within the 
said Bedford level, called Great Portsafrd, containing 
about 7,000 acres, then belonging to Sir Charles Orby, 
and now to Thomas Orby Hunter, Esq. lying in the 
adjoining manor of Crowland, was added to the north 
level, and directed to be drained therewith ; and for 
convenience of interior drainage, the north level and 
Great Portsand were divided into five districts,* and com¬ 
missioners appointed, called “north level commissioners/’ 
This district encountered several misfortunes from 
the year 1763 to the year 1770, by inundations and 
tempestuous weather; in 1763, the north bank of 
Morton’s Learn Wash broke, in consequence of the 
violence of the flood waters, and drowned a consider¬ 
able extent of the level, involving the loss of several 
lives, and of much cattle and property. Partial breaches 
occurred in 1765 and 1767 ; but in the year 1770, so 
terrible a breach took place, that the whole country, 
for several miles, was covered six feet deep upon the 
average, and the most dreadful consequences ensued to 
the north level.f 


* The first, containing 11,500 acres, is bounded on the west by the 
high lands of the soke of Peterborough, from which it is separated by an 
ancient Roman drain called the Carr Dyke, which acts as a catch-water drain 
to the whole north level. This great Roman work extended originally from 
the river Nene below Peterborough, to the city of Lincoln, and, perhaps, to 
the river Trent at Torkesey ; the course was traced by the late Mr. Rennie, 
the greatest part of the way, and pronounced a most judicious and well-laid - 
out work. The second district contains 4,200 acres; the third, or Thorney 
Lordship, 17,600 acres ; the fourth, 7,000 acres; and the fifth, called Great 
Portsand, 7,750 acres—making together 47,750 acres. 

t The amount for repairs of the north bank, after the great breach in 
1770, was £5,989. 7s. 3d. ; —in 1772, <£2,857. 11s. id. ; —in 1773, 
,£4,391. 2s. 7d.; —in 1774, £2,108. 15s. 9d.in 1775, £ 1,450.;— 
after a high flood in 1795, £2,174. 7s. Id.;—after ditto in 1796, £’2,434. 
10s. lid. 


WISBECH. 


65 


For the preservation of the works of the north level, 
an act was obtained in the year 1771 for the main¬ 
tenance of such works, which were thereby directed 
to be vested in a committee of eighteen persons, to 
be annually chosen from the commissioners of the five 
districts, and called “ the Committee of Works.” It 
may be here observed, that the corporation of Bedford 
level have for many years granted to his grace the duke 
of Bedford, a lease of the benefit of the north bank of 
Morton’s Learn, with the forelands, &c. from Knarr 
Lake,*' to the upper end of the bank near Peterborough. 
This lease has been renewed to the Bedford family, from 
time to time, to the present day; certain tolls have also 
been taken, and the monies arising therefrom appro¬ 
priated to the repairs of the bank. Immediately after 
the passing of the act in 1771, the committee of the 
north level, being daily eye witnesses of the damage 
occasioned to the north bank of Morton’s Learn, and the 
forelands thereof, put a stop for a time to the haling there¬ 
on,T and afterwards, in 1795, in consequence of the great 
injury done by heavy waggons, an order was made by the 
north level committee, and acquiesced in by the Bedford 
level corporation, that no heavy waggon should, under 
any circumstances, be permitted to pass on the bank; since 
which time, the passage of any description of carriage 
has been prevented, and the bank is now only used as 
a bridle road. Although no breach of the bank has 
occurred since 1770, still great anxiety has been always 
felt, for obtaining a better and more speedy passage 
for the upland waters to sea. About that period, (1770) 
the outfall of the river below Wisbech became so bad, 


* A place near a house called the Cross Guns, on the bank of the river, 
t The haling has been since continued on payment of a toll. 

E 


66 


HISTORY OF 


that the north level proprietors resumed the project 
recommended by Mr. Kinderley in 1721, and afterwards 
by his son in 1751, of abandoning the old river, and 
making a new cut from a place called the river’s end, 
below the town of Wisbech, through the common salt 
marsh in Tid St. Giles, and to continue the same to near 
Gunthorpe sluice. This plan, it was conceived, would 
not only be of great benefit to the drainage, but tend to 
the preservation of certain lands lying in the contiguous 
parishes of Tid and Newton. The measure, however, 
was at first strongly opposed by the commissioners of 
sewers for the hundred of Wisbech; and the Bedford 
level corporation having expressed their intentions of 
encouraging the imposition of a tax upon all vessels 
navigating the said cut, the corporation of Wisbech 
strongly objected to any tax whatever affecting their 
trade and commerce, and subscribed £500. to unite with 
the commissioners of sewers in opposition thereto; at 
length the parties came to an amicable understanding, 
and the north level proprietors undertook, at their 
own expense, amounting to £ 10,000., (with the ex¬ 
ception of £1,000. contributed from the middle and 
south levels, and £ 1,000. from a small district draining 
by Buckworth sluice into Kinderley’s eut, # called the 
Tid and Newton district) to complete the work, and in 
the year 1773 an act was passed, intituled, “ An Act for 
“ draining and preserving certain Lands and Grounds 
“ in the Parishes of Tid St. Giles and Newton, in the 
“ Isle of Ely, in the County of Cambridge, and in Tid 
“ St. Mary’s, in the County of Lincoln; ” by authority 


* Called Kinderley’s cut, though made many years after the decease of 
that engineer, but, as a plan recommended by him, the public gave his 
name to the work. 


WISBECH. 


67 


whereof, the commissioners of the north level were 
empowered to make the cut ; and a clause was in¬ 
troduced, to secure the free usage of the said cut for all 
persons navigating vessels between the town of Wisbech 
and the sea- This cut was carried through the green 
marshes, about a mile and a half in length, and 
avoided the moveable sand banks and shoals in the 
old channel, lying on the Norfolk side thereof, which 
produced the effect of lowering the waters at Gunthorpe 
sluice (the north level outlet) six feet, on the first opening 
of the works, thereby securing a better outfall for the 
waters of the low lands to the sea; it had also a most 
salutary effect on the navigation of the port of Wisbech, 
which had grown into an alarming decay; the town 
was relieved from its former depressed state, and trade 
and commerce began again to flourish. This cut has 
certainly caused the river to increase in depth so far as 
the confinement extends, which seems to be a demon¬ 
stration, that when the like confinement is continued to 
the sea, a similar relief will be afforded, not only to 
drainage, but also to navigation. By this act, the old 
channel or bare sands were vested in the Bedford level 
corporation, which were surveyed * and marked out, and 
their situation and extent defined as follows:— 


In Tid St. Giles ... 

— Tid St. Mary’s . 

— Long Sutton ... 

— Lutton. 

— Gedney . 


A. R. P. 

104 3 22 
488 3 15 
3270 3 2 

1362 2 11 
2230 2 11 


7457 2 21 


* By John Watte, an eminent surveyor, in 1777. 

E 2 







68 


HISTORY OF 


Of this large tract, only 200 acres, or thereabouts, 
have been embanked and inclosed, and are called “ the 
u Corporation Farm.*’ The projectors of this cut were 
so satisfied with the benefits which would result from 
the execution of it, that, by the act, provision is made 
for extending it, as circumstances will admit, to the sea, 
and for vesting the marshes and sands, which would be 
thereby recovered, in the Bedford level corporation, as 
trustees, indeed, for the north level commissioners, (who, 
as a body annually elected, could not hold them) in aid 
of so beneficial and important an undertaking. 

As it has ever been an object of great interest to the 
north level and the adjacent fens to obtain a better 
outfall, so have the proprietors seized every opportunity 
a.d. of encouraging plans for an improved drainage, and in the 
1813. year 1813, Mr. Rennie, a gentleman of acknowledged 
talent as an engineer, made report upon a plan for such 
improvement, by recommending the discharge of the 
waters of the north level into the sea at Crabb-hole. 
He commences his report by stating that this portion of 
the plan is attended with much difficulty, on account 
of the Nene passing through the town of Wisbech, where 
the channel is so narrow, and the buildings so close to 
the river, that there was not room to widen or deepen 
it, unless a considerable number of houses were to be 
taken down, and even the bridge itself; he also stated 
that when the levels were taken, there was a fall, at 
low water, from Sutton Wash to Crabb-hole, a distance 
of something less than four miles, of twelve feet; that 
the outfall of the river, below Gunthorpe sluice, was 
also in a bad state, owing to the shifting sands; 
and that the great bar to the discharge of the Nene 
waters, and of course to the general drainage of the 


WISBECH. 


69 


lands depending on the river, was the high and shifting 
sands between Gunthorpe sluice and Crabb-hole, and 
the narrow and confined channel of the river, through 
the town of Wisbech : whereupon he recommended a 
new channel from the mouth of Kinderley’s cut, at 
Gunthorpe sluice, to the level of the low water in the 
bay, at Crabb-hole.* From the mouth of Kinderley’s 
cut to the Horse-shoe below Wisbech, he proposed the 
old channel to be enlarged, and a new cut made from 
the Horse-shoe, in a straight line, to Rummer’s mill. 

The estimate of the expense of the works for the im¬ 
provement of the north level, and outfall of the Nene, 
including a district called South Holland, was £637,317. 
of which £373,713. related to the drainage of the 
north level, by Wisbech outfall, or Crabb-hole. f The 
magnitude of this expense seemed to deter all parties 
from making any attempt towards carrying works of a.d. 
such extent into execution, until the year 1818, when 1818 
the right honorable lord William Cavendish Bentinck, a 


* It has been shown that this is by no means an opinion peculiar to 
the present day. See p. 60. 

t By Mr. Bower’s levels, taken in 1813, the fall at low water was as 
under:— 

MILES. FT. IN. 


From Sutton Wash to Crabb-hole. 4 fall of 12 0 

Surface of water at South Holland sluice to ditto 4 £ - 12 7 

-Gunthorpe sluice to ditto .. - 13 0 

From Wisbech bridge to ditto .Ilf - 13 6 

- Guyhirn ferry to ditto . 17 14 6 

- Peterborough bridge to ditto .30f 18 6 


MILES. FT. IN. 

From Sutton Wash to Crabb-hole .. 4 an average fall of 3 0 per mile. 

-Wisbech bridge to Sutton Wash ?f-0 Of - 

-r Peterborough bridge to Wis¬ 
bech bridge . 19 0 °TJ~- 

-Peterborough bridge to Sutton 

Wash . ...26 - 0 3 - 

























70 


HISTORY OF 


nobleman of great powers of mind and active spirit, 
called a meeting at Lynn, to consider, as a distinct 
object, the propriety of erecting a bridge over the Nene, 
at the nearest practicable point to the sea, whereby a 
direct communication would be established from Norfolk 
and Suffolk, into Lincolnshire and the north of England, 
an improvement undoubtedly of great importance; and 
an estimate being made by Mr. Rennie, he reported 
a.d. that a bridge at Gunthorpe sluice would cost £16,010. 
1819. and one at Cross Keys Wash, £35,070. nevertheless the 
latter, though of considerably greater expense, was 
thought to be the most eligible situation. The cor¬ 
poration and inhabitants of Wisbech were very jealous 
of this measure, as of injurious tendency to the trade 
and navigation of their river. For some time the 
promoters of this separate measure suspended their 
own immediate object as to the bridge, in the hope 
of embracing with its ultimate execution, what they 
considered to be a more efficient system of drainage, 
and to take into their consideration the practicability 
of carrying into effect, in whole or in part , the great 
plan recommended by Mr Rennie in the year 1813, 
relative to the drainage of the north level and South 
Holland, by Crabb-hole. The promoters of the bridge 
scheme, perceiving objections to be raised to the 
erection of a bridge, as a separate measure, earnestly 
invited the landed proprietors to combine with the 
bridge plan a better system of drainage, and a second 
report of Mr. Rennie’s being obtained in 1819, the 
fact which had not been, perhaps, before sufficiently 
noticed, was therein more forcibly adverted to, viz. that 
between Gunthorpe sluice and Sutton Wash there was 
only a fall of twelve inches , whilst between Sutton Wash 
and Crabb-hole there was a fall of twelve feet . 


WISBECH. 


71 


In October 1820, a meeting, very numerously at- a.d. 
tended, was held at Wisbech, the most noble the marquis 1820. 
of Tavistock presiding, when a resolution was entered 
into, that Mr. Rennie’s plan appeared calculated to 
hold out the best and most effectual means of improving 
the navigation and drainage, and establishing a safe 
communication, by a bridge, between the counties of 
Norfolk and Lincoln, and thereupon Mr. Rennie was 
directed to make a further report upon the probable 
expense of a new cut for the Nene, from Gunthorpe 
sluice, according to a line, as stated by him, to a place 
called Skate’s Comer, in length four miles and three 
quarters, and from thence to low water at Crabb-hole, 
in length about a mile, which he accordingly estimated 
at £ 176,872. upon this report it was determined 
that the improvements in the course of the Nene were 
practicable, but on its being explained that Mr. Rennie 
recommended a plan for making a new course for the 
river, from the Horse-shoe to Rummer’s mill, by con¬ 
verting the present bed of the river, through the town 
of Wisbech, into a floating harbour, the corporation and 
merchants of Wisbech, on deliberation, resolved to lay 
the several plans before Mr. Telford,f who, upon taking 
a view, suggested an alteration in the course of the 
river, for that part which runs between the Horse-shoe 
and Rummer’s mill, different from that proposed by 
Mr. Rennie, which consisted in making a new cut, 
commencing from a point a little beyond the turnpike 
on the South Brink, proceeding at the back of all the 
houses in the town of Wisbech on the line of the South 
Brink, and falling into the river again below the present 
bridge; in removing the bridge, and widening and 

* By a letter addressed to G. A. Adam, Esq. auditor to his grace the 
duke of Bedford, dated 30th January 1821,—afterwards printed. 

t An eminent engineer. 


HISTORY OF 



deepening the channel of the river through the town, 
and in cutting through the point of land below the town 
at the Horse-shoe, the expense of which, in purchasing 
private property and cutting through the same, would 
be about 80,000., by which plan the flux and reflux of 
the tide through the town would be preserved. In 
the course of the summer of 1821, the report of the 
proceedings of the committee for considering the best 
means of .following up Mr. Rennie’s report of 1813 
was printed, when the committee declared their opinion 
on the practicability of carrying the whole of the 
general scheme into effect, and that the estimated 
expense of all the suggested improvements relating to 
the river Nene would be about £400,000., which was 
proposed to be raised by means of transferable bonds, 
bearing interest at £5. per cent, to be sold in the 
market, at the price of the day, like East India bonds, 
viz. 

1st operation, Cut from Crabb-hole to Gun- 7 _ _ _. _ 

, , . f £ 186,000 

thorpe sluice . 3 

2d ditto, deepening and widening the river 4 

from Gunthorpe sluice to the Horse-shoe S 

3d ditto, improving the river to Rummer’s mill 

4th ditto, a new river from Rummer’s mill T 

to Peterborough.5 


£398,003 

or, in round numbers, £ 400,000. 

a.d. To raise this enormous sum, it was proposed to lay a 
182L proportionate tax upon the lands,* together with a tax 


44,544 

80,000 

86,803 


* The districts draining by Wisbech river consist of the north level 
and Portsand, containing about 48,000 acres;—South Holland, 34,000;— 






WISBECH. 


73 


on the navigation of two shillings per chaldron upon 
coals, and two shillings and sixpence per ton upon all 
other merchandize. The harvest of this year proving 
most unpropitious, through continual rains during the 
reaping season, agricultural produce, which had been 
declining, became farther depreciated, so that many of 
the farming occupiers were losing their diminished 
capitals most rapidly, and others were absolutely 
reduced to poverty; to burthen the country, therefore, 
any further at this period, was considered a most 
impolitic measure. A meeting was, however, called at 
Peterborough on the 22d of November, for the purpose 
of receiving the report of the committee appointed in 
October 1820, which his grace the duke of Bedford 
attended in person, supported by earl Fitzwilliam, 
lord William Bentinck, lord viscount Strathaven, and 
many gentlemen of the country, when, after much dis¬ 
cussion, the early execution of the extended scheme 
was agreed upon, and a committee appointed to prepare 
the heads of a bill to parliament; a strong protest 
was entered against the measure on the part of the 
corporation and inhabitants of Wisbech, as well as of 
the surrounding land owners, upon the principle that 
the embarrassed and distressed state of the country at 
that period rendered it more than ever inexpedient to 
prosecute such a scheme. 

After the late wet season, the outfall so much improved, a.d. 
that for a series of years it had not been in so good 1822 
a state for the purposes of drainage and navigation, the 
latter of which was so greatly benefited, that vessels of 
one hundred tons burthen could bring their full cargoes 


Sutton St. Edmund’s, Sutton St. James, and Tid St. Mary’s, 5,700Wisbech 
north side, Tid, Newton, Leverington, and Parson Drove, 17,700;— 
Waldersea and Begdale, on the south side of the river, 8,000; — land in 
Morton’s Learn Wash, 3,500;—total quantity, 116,900 acres. 


74 


HISTORY OF 


up to the town of Wisbech with ease; when the pro¬ 
prietors of estates, as well as the merchants of Wisbech, 
observing the natural improvements in the drainage and 
navigation, and considering the heavy burthen to which 
their lands and trade must be subject, by adopting the ex¬ 
tended plan, estimated at nearly half a million of money, 
became more fixed in their opposition to the measure, 
and determined upon withholding their consents to 
such scheme. This opposition did not arise from any 
desire to raise obstacles for the purpose of preventing 
improvements in the outfall, but simply from the mag¬ 
nitude of the sum required to carry into effect such a 
scheme, and the consequent ruinous taxation w hich must 
be laid upon the trade of Wisbech, and on the landed 
estates, to enable the promoters to discharge the interest 
of such an enormous capital. We know that when engi¬ 
neers are consulted, they regard not pecuniary obstacles, 
but lay down plans on a large scale, without considering 
the difficulties of accomplishment. Most unprejudiced 
persons in Wisbech are aware that there are serious 
impediments to the passage of the flood waters to the 
sea, from the narrow channel through the town, and they 
are and ever have been ready to unite with the country 
in facilitating any measure for improving the course of 
the waters upon any moderate scale, such as easing the 
bend of the river below the opening of the new road 
leading to Peterborough, heretofore called Barton Lane ; 
cutting a channel from the toll bar on the south side to 
the west end of Mr. Marriott’s house; making an addi¬ 
tional arch, and giving a greater water-way to the bridge; 
straightening the channel of the Horse-shoe, by cutting 
through the lands on the east side of the river; confining 
and deepening the channel of the Nene to the sea, # or 

* A plan of this nature was presented to the corporation of Wisbecli by 
Mr. Girdlestone, a very intelligent member of that body, in the year 1825, 


WISBECH. 


75 


by any other practicable and reasonable means within 
their ability. When it was understood that the landed 
proprietors were resolved to refuse their assent to the 
intended measure, it was again for a time suspended. 

The promoters of the bridge scheme being, however, 
determined to persevere, renewed their object as a 
separate measure, expressing, at the same time, their 
desire to unite it with any plan for extending the river 
to Crabb-hole, in any way which Messrs. Telford and a.d. 
Rennie might point out, and in the autumn of 1825, the 1825. 
attention of the country was again called by lord 
William Bentinck, towards the erection of a bridge over 
the Cross Keys Wash, and the opening of a direct com¬ 
munication between the counties of Lincoln and Norfolk, 
and in order to carry the measure into effect, it was 
proposed that an application should be made to parlia¬ 
ment, and that the money required for the undertaking 
should be raised by transferable shares of £50. each, 
the cost, with contingencies, being estimated at £50,000. 

In the prospectus afterwards published, relative to 
this undertaking, it was stated, that by the second 
report of the late Mr. Rennie in 1819, certain advantages 
were overlooked, which would result both to drainage and 
navigation, by confining the river below to one channel, 
as well as leading to another improvement, viz. the 
prolongation of Kinderley’s cut to the Cross Keys Wash, 
which would become virtually a part of his great plan. 

The town of Wisbech still viewed with some anxiety 
the erection of a bridge and embankment across Sutton 

whose object, as he observed, was not then to excite discussion, but to direct 
the attention of the capital burgesses to a serious consideration of the sub* 
ject on a future occasion. 


76 


HISTORY OF 


Wash, as a separate measure, being apprehensive 
that such a work would not only materially impede the 
passing and repassing of vessels between the town and 
the sea, but greatly obstruct the free and unrestricted 
a.d. flux and reflux of the tidal waters, and thereupon 
1826. consulted another eminent engineer, * who stated de¬ 
cidedly that the bridge would, as an unconnected 
measure, have disadvantageous effects, and by dimin¬ 
ishing the rise of the tide, would injure the navigation 
to Wisbech; and that the rapidity of the current through 
the intended bridge would render it hazardous for vessels 
to pass in the strength of the tide, as might be instanced 
at London bridge, and consequently, vessels bound to 
Wisbech would be delayed too long to reach that town 
in the same tide; and that this rapid current, after 
passing the contraction, would expand itself, and form 
a bar by the deposit of the sand and silth carried up 
with it; and that no measure of improvement, connected 
with the proposed bridge and embankment, could be 
essentially efficient for the purposes of navigation and 
drainage, unless the discharge of all the land waters 
should be carried beyond the mouth of the estuary , 

Whilst the corporation and merchants of Wisbech 
w r ere deliberating upon these proceedings, and the pro¬ 
bably injurious effects to the existing rights and interests 
of the town and port, a communication was received 
from Tycho Wing, Esq.f that there was a probability 
of some plans being suggested for the general im¬ 
provement of drainage and navigation, by the Wisbech 
river to the sea, which were afterwards laid before the 
public, and their principle adopted by the committees of 


* William Chapman, Esq. 


t See note, p. 60. 


WISBECH. 


77 


the several parties interested in the respective districts, 
at a general meeting, which soon after took place in 
London. 

Other engineers who had been consulted as to the 
bridge also gave their opinion, that it would be attended 
with injurious effects to the navigation of Wisbech, 
unless a new channel was made for the discharge of the 
waters of the Nene , which induced the proprietors of 
the north level to turn their attention to an improved 
outfall, not only by the prolongation of Kinderley’s cut 
to the intended bridge, but in making a new channel 
from such bridge to Crabb-hole. A general conference 
was held in London, between lord William Bentinck, 
with a committee of promoters of the bridge and 
embankment, on the one part, and committees of 
the corporation and merchants of Wisbech, and of 
proprietors of the north level and other districts, on 
the other part, when, after considerable discussion, it 
was determined to form a new channel from the end 
of Kinderley’s cut to Crabb-hole, together with the 
bridge and embankment, as one united measure; and 
that the expense thereof should be forthwith ascertained. 
Negociations were accordingly entered into with the 
merchants and traders of Wisbech, the proprietors of 
lands in Wisbech hundred and South Holland, and the 
claimants of the sands, to ascertain their proportionate 
contributions, according to the benefit which they would 
respectively derive. The expense of prolonging Kin¬ 
derley’s cut, and forming a new channel to Crabb-hole, 
was estimated at £130,000. His grace the duke of 
Bedford, and the proprietors of land in the north level 
and Great Portsand, declared themselves willing to 


78 


HISTORY OF 


undertake the work, upon being assured that £ 60,000.* 
would be contributed by the other parties interested. 
Upon this proposition, a meeting was called at Wisbech, 
when the town and trade, in a most spirited manner, 
consented to raise one-half of that sum, by a tax of 
sixpence per ton upon all goods and merchandize ar¬ 
riving at the port, on condition of being indemnified 
from all further payments. The same proposals were 
afterwards discussed in general meetings of the proprietors 
of landed estates, connected with the intended improve¬ 
ments ; and the execution and maintenance of the 
proposed works were undertaken by the north level on 
the following terms, which were ultimately agreed to:— 

Wisbech town and trade to advance £ 30,000 
Proprietors of estates in Wisbech } j r qqq 
hundred .. i 


Sutton St. Edmund’s . 

Si ~ ’ — " - 


2,000 



3,000 


not yet declared) say 

South Holland . 

Promoters of the bridge 


7,000 

3,000 


£ 60,000 


* The whole expense of a new river from Gunthorpe sluice to Crubb- 
liole would be £ 130,000.—to be thus raised :— 

From the duke of Bedford, and the north "v 
level and Great Portsand proprietors, at v £ 48,000 
one shilling per acre, say .1 


Wisbech trade at sixpence per ton 


30,000 


Carried forward £ 7 8,000 












WISBECH. 


79 


Upon this basis, the parties at length came to an 
amicable conclusion. The bill for erecting the bridge 
and embankment was allowed to proceed and pass into 
a law, with a clause to the following effect: “ And 
“ whereas # the most noble John, duke of Bedford, 
“ and the proprietors of lands in the north level and 
“ Great Portsand, with the concurrence of the governor, 
“ bailiffs, and company of conservators, have it in con- 
“ templation to make certain works for forming a new 
“ cut or channel, and confining the waters from the 
“ north end of a cut called Kinderley’s cut, to deep 
“ water at or near a place called Crabb-hole, below the 
“ site of the said intended bridge, in order as well to 
“ remove the danger apprehended from the construction 
“ of the said bridge and embankment, as to improve 
u the navigation of the Wisbech river, and the outfall 
“ of the several lands draining by or through the said 
“ Sutton Wash to the sea, which last-mentioned works 
u will require an expenditure of the sum of £ 130,000. or 


Brought forward £ 78,000 


Lands in Wisbech hundred.. 15,000 

- South Holland . 7,000 

Promoters of the bridge . 3,000 

Lands in Sutton St. Edmund’s.. 2,000 


- Sutton St. James, Tid St. Mary’s, } 

and Little Portsand, say ..^ 

Deficiency to he made good from the sands 


£ 108,000 
22,000 


£ 130,000 


* The act is intituled “ An Act for constructing a Bridge across Sutton 
<< Wash, otherwise called Cross Keys Wash, between the Counties of 
“ Lincoln and Norfolk.” It received the royal assent 26tli May 1826, 
(7th Geo. IV.) 













80 


HISTORY OF 


11 thereabouts, upon receiving the sum of £ 6 0,000. to 
u be contributed towards the expense thereof by several 
“ parties interested therein, and by the application of 
“ the produce of the bare sands and salt marshes below 
“ Kinderley’s cut, now vested in the said governor, 
“ bailiffs, and commonalty, for continuing the said cut 
“ and improving the outfall of the Wisbech river to 
“ sea; Be it therefore further enacted, That the said 
“ bridge and banks, authorized to be constructed by this 
“ act, or any of them, or any of the works connected 
“ therewith, shall not be commenced or proceeded in 
u until after the end of the next session of parliament.’" 
When the new cut is made to deep water at Crabb-hole, 
the sands will no doubt rise considerably, and a great 
portion thereof may be taken in within a few years. 

The bridge and cross embankments will also have a 
tendency to induce the deposit of earth, and by this 
means protect the marshes and sands lying south of 
the latter. It is to be observed, that the salt marshes 
which the sea throws up, and has left, and is still 
leaving upon the coast, (some whereof are embanked, 
and some lie open) are higher by three or four feet at 
least than the old country, and every marsh newly taken 
in is higher than that which was taken in before it, 
and the longer it is before a marsh be taken in, the 
higher it is when it is so inclosed ; so that the highest 
lands in this level country are those which lie next the 
sea, the waters, therefore, cannot run off directly to sea 
by the old drains, but some other means must be devised 
to carry them off, and without good outfalls, all inward 
works and banks are fruitless. Since the general drainage 
of the fens, there never was evinced a more universal 
spirit for improvement than at the present time. We 


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WISBECH. 


81 


have seen that it was the opinion of our ancestors, as 
well as that of the present day, that an improved 
outfall was a most desirable object: when this is gained, 
we have only to follow up, in the best manner we 
possibly can, such plans and works as are most likely 
to accomplish the design begun. The sea, no doubt, 
continues to retreat as it has done for ages, which must 
greatly facilitate the complete drainage. The proposed 
channel appears to be well calculated to afford the 
means of obtaining a perfect drainage for all the low 
lands in the north level and Portsand, and of providing 
for the safe and unobstructed discharge of the upland 
floods, and thus to rescue the country from the frequent 
losses and general insecurity of property, occasioned by 
the present insufficient and precarious outfall through 
Sutton Wash way. 

The line of drainage designed has received the sanction 
of men of talent, such as Kinderley, Mylne, Golborne, 
Whitworth, Watte, Ellstob, Yeoman, &c. whose opinions 
are of weight, and they are corroborated by the most 
eminent men of the present day, Messrs. Rennie, Tel¬ 
ford, Chapman, See. which, we are willing to trust, 
will establish in the minds of all reasonable men the 
probable success of the intended plan, and remove 
ancient prejudices. It is a principle that no man can 
deny, that the primary object in the drainage of a flat 
country is the obtaining of a good and permanent outfall: 
the shorter the course by which the waters of a river 
are conveyed from the uplands to the sea, the more 
readily will they be discharged; and as no course is so 
short as a straight line, the nearer the channel approaches 
thereto, the better. “ Where a river is duly confined, the 
“ pressure is greatest, and the stream the strongest and 

F 


82 


HISTOUY OF 


“ swiftest, and there, consequently, the channel must 
“ grind the deepest. Widen a channel, and you weaken 
“ its current; straiten, and you strengthen it; the 
“ first feeds and fills up the channel, the last grinds 
u and deepens it.”* 

The object, in fact, of the measure has been stated 
as designed to afford an improved drainage and security 
from inundation, not only to the north level of the fens 
and the adjoining country, but to improve the navi¬ 
gation to Wisbech and Peterborough from the sea; and 
the proprietors of lands in the north level seem so deeply 
impressed with the importance of the measure, that they 
agree to take upon themselves the risk and expense of 
executing and maintaining the necessary works, on 
receiving from the parties who are to derive advantage 
from them, contributions in proportion to those ad¬ 
vantages, together with a part of the sands that will 
be reclaimed, and of the marsh lands that will be 
protected from the sea by the proposed works. The 
measure will embrace many distinct interests, but 
there is little doubt, when it is brought forward for 
execution, that the general interests of the public will 
be strictly attended to, and no burthen imposed upon 
any class of persons, for which they do not receive a 
corresponding benefit. 

The corporation of Bedford level have always, since 
the passing of the acts of Charles II. been considered 
the natural protectors of the whole of that tract of 
country, and have ever shewn the strongest disposition 
to do every thing in their power for its drainage, as 


* Kinderley, p. 52 


WISBECH. 


83 


well as to guard the rights of the fen proprietors. The 
taxes raised under their authority amount to £ 8,000. 

per annum, and upwards, the whole whereof is em- 

♦ 

ployed for the general benefit of the drainage of the 
country. The services rendered by the board have from 
time to time been very important, and the powers vested 
in them are acknowledged to have been always exer¬ 
cised with discretion and benefit to all the level, the 
proprietors whereof feel satisfaction in placing the 
utmost confidence in that honourable and respectable 
body; and it is evident that, as a corporate and 
powerful body, invested with considerable funds and 
powers, they have the means of contributing largely 
to the preservation and improvement of this extensive 
tract of country, for the benefit of all who are interested 
in it. The efforts of the Bedford level corporation and 
the country are moved by the same impulse, and di¬ 
rected by the best and wisest conclusions. 

The following Noblemen and Gentlemen compose at this 
time (1826) the Honourable Corporation of Bedford 
Level . 


GOVERNOR, 

The Most Noble John, Duke of Bedford. 

BAILIFFS, 

The Rev. George Leonard Jenyns. 

William Henry Fellowes, Esq. M. P. 

The Rt. Hon. Philip, Earl of Hardwicke, K. G. 
John Thurlow Dering, Esq. 

Sir C. Morgan, Bart. 

Thomas Orton, Esq. 

f 2 


84 


HISTORY OF 


CONSERVATORS, 


The Rt. Hon. Charles Yorke. 
Harry S. Waddington, Esq. 
Lord Viscount Milton. 

Wm. Dunn Gardner, Esq. 
Richard Orton, Esq. 

Joseph Vipan, Esq. 

The Marquis of Tavistock. 
William G. Adam, Esq. 
Jonathan Page, Esq. 
William Roberts, Esq. 


John Fryer, Esq. 

H. J. Nicholls, Esq. 
Tycho Wing, Esq. 
Charles Jenyns, Esq. 
R. G. Townley, Esq. 
George Pryme, Esq. 
John J.Angerstein, Esq. 
Hon. W. Twistleton. 
Thomas Spooner, Esq. 
John Hibbert, Esq. 


The Earl of Hardwicke, Surveyor-General. 

Samuel Wells, Esq. Register. 

Steed Girdlestone, Esq. Auditor. 

H. R. Evans, Esq. Receiver and Expendit or-General . 


Having given an outline of the different changes in 
the state of the Great Level, we now proceed, in the 
second place , with a description of that part of it 
called the Isle of Ely. 







Scale of Miles. 


9 10 


5 Rivers 

j Drains 

- Tumjfikes 

_ Jive Roads 

Division or 
Hundreds. 



DutenAam 


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_Zr ji v/// r/reatJlespert. inscribed 

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fry Mis nbliyed obedient Rumble Servant, 

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Ely Hundred, containing 5 Farishcd. 

South Tart of Jlitcfford JTimd*cotitSll 1>° 

Forth Fart D° 2>.° JJ° J F.° 

Wisbech JTuntbrd D° 12 D? 

33 


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Published by H.k J.I.mcA*. Wisbeeh, 1SZ7. 















































































WISBECH. 


85 


THE ISLE OF ELY. 


In the register of Peterborough it is said, that in the 
country of the Gyrvii, (being those which inhabit near the 
fens) there is a famous monastery,* heretofore called 
Medehamstead, but now Burgh,f within which precinct 
Ely is situated, being an island containing twenty-two 
towns, compassed on every side with waters, and where- 
unto there are four causeways.^ This island was made 
choice of for a place of voluntary retirement by those 
who, out of great piety, betook themselves wholly to the 
service of God, and strict abstinence ; and though these 
pious votaries first settled here, as a place of solitude, yet 
the conveniency of fish, which was the chief part of their 
food, was another reason for such choice, for after the 


* Dugdale, p. 178. The first monastery in the world is said to have 
been founded a. d. 270, into which the sister of St. Anthony retired. 

t Now called Peterborough. “ Burgh ” was characteristic of a Saxon 
city ; “ Cester,” of a Roman. 

t The register of Ramsey says, “ The entrances into the isle were, 
“ first, at Littleport; second, at Stuntney; third, at Alderhethe Brigg; 
and fourth, at Efith Brigg.” 



86 


HISTORY OF 


rule of St. Benedict* came to be observed in the Christian 
world, the monks of that order abstained from the use 
of flesh; which rule was in so high an esteem, that 


* The Benedictine order of monks was the most ancient since the 
Saxons ; they wore a loose black gown, with large wide sleeves, and a cowl 
on their heads, ending in a point behind. In the Canon Law, they are 
stiled Black Friars, from the colour of their habit: this order produced a 
great number of eminent writers and learned men. A brief recital of their 
rules may probably not be unacceptable :—First, as to the Hours of prayer 
in the chapel; they were obliged to perform their devotion seven times 
within the four-and-twenty hours : they are commonly ranged under these 
distinctions;—first, at cock-crowing, or the Nocturnal: this service was 
performed at two o’clock in the morning ; the ground for pitching upon this 
hour is taken partly from David’s saying, “ At midnight I will praise the 
“ Lord and partly from a tradition of our Saviour’s rising from the dead 
about that time. 

Secondly, Matins: these are said at the first hour; or, according to 
our computation, at six o’clock. At this time the Jewish morning sacrifice 
was offered. The angels, likewise, are supposed to have acquainted the 
women with our Saviour’s resurrection at this hour. 

Thirdly, the Tierce, which was at nine in the morning, when our 
Saviour was condemned and scourged by Pilate. 

Fourthly, the Sexte, or twelve at noon, when our Saviour w r as crucified, 
and the sun eclipsed to a total darkness. 

Fifthly, the None, or three in the afternoon ; at this hour our Saviour 
expired, and besides, it was a time for public prayer in the temple. 

Sixthly, Vespers: these were said at six in the afternoon ; the reason 
for the time is, because the evening sacrifice was then offered in the Jewish 
temple, and our blessed Saviour is supposed to have been taken down 
from the cross at this hour. 

Seventhly, the Compline: this service was performed after seven, 
when our Saviour’s agony in the garden was believed to begin. 

The monks, going to bed at eight, had six hours to sleep before the 
Nocturnal began ; neither, if they went to bed afterwards, was it reckoned 
a fault, but after Matins they were not allowed that liberty. 

To proceed :—after the tolling of the bell for prayers, the monks were 
immediately to leave off their business ; and here the Canon, it seems, was 
so strict, that those who copied books, or were clerks in any business, and 
had begun a Text letter, were not allowed to finish it. Those who were 


WISBECH. 


87 


all the monasteries then in being in the realm began 
with much reverence to maintain a strict regard to its 
provisions. 


absent, and employed in the business of the house, were reckoned present 
as to excuse and duty, and that they might not suffer by being elsewhere, 
they were particularly recommended to the Divine protection. 

The monks were obliged to go always two together; this was done to 
guard their conduct, to prompt them to good thoughts, and furnish them 
with a witness to defend their behaviour. 

From Easter to Whitsuntide, they dined at twelve and supped at six ; in 
this interval the primitive church observed no fasts; at other times the 
Religious were bound to fast until three o’clock on Wednesdays and Fridays : 
the twelve days in Christmas were excepted in this Canon. 

Every day in Lent they were enjoined to fast until six in the evening. 
During this solemnity they retrenched their refreshments, and came to 
abatements in sleep and eating, and spent more time in their devotions; 
however they were not to go into any voluntary austerities without leave 
from the abbot. 

They were not allowed to talk in the refectory at meals; but were 
to hearken to the scriptures read to them at that time. 

The Septimarians were to dine by themselves after the rest. These 
Septimurians were so called, because their office continued but a week, such 
as the reader, waiters, cook, &c. 

Those who were absent about business had the same hours of prayer 
prescribed them, though (it may be) not obliged to the same length of 
devotion. 

Those sent abroad, and expecting to return at night, were forbidden to 
eat until they came home ; but this Canon was sometimes dispensed with. 

The Compline was to be solemnly sung about seven at night. The 
service concluded with this verse ,— ,f Set a watch, O Lord, before my 
*< mouth, and keep the door of my lips,” After the Compline, they were 
not allowed to talk, but to go to bed immediately ; they were all to sleep in 
the same dormitory, but not two in a bed;—they lay in their clothes. 
Small faults only put them from the table, but for greater, they were barred 
religious commerce, or excluded the Chapel, and here, none was to converse 
with any person excommunicated, under the penalty of the same Censure. 
Incorrigible criminals were expelled the monasteries. 

When a Brother was received after expulsion, he lost his seniority, and 
was placed the last in the Convent. 


88 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. Ethelbert, king of Kent, who claimed pre-eminence 
600. in the heptarchy, was the first Saxon prince converted 
to Christianity. He is said to have founded a church 
at Ely in honour of the Virgin Mary, at the instance 
of Augustine, (to whose doctrines he had become a 
convert) in a place about a mile from Ely, called 
Cratendune, which became afterwards very famous for 
its sanctity. 

TIow the Isle became entitled to its peculiar Privileges , 
and the Founding of a Monastery by Etheldreda. 

660. Etheldreda, (vulgarly called Audrey) daughter to 
Anna, queen of the East Angles, being, through the 
persuasion of her father, married to Tonbert, a prince 
of the southern Gyrvii, had given to her in dower by 
her husband, this isle of Ely, into which, before his 
death, she retired, and admiring the place, not only in 
respect to its difficulty of access, but also on account 
of its being severed, as it were, from the pleasures of 
the world, she there settled herself, and Tonbert dying 
about three years after, she came into full possession 
of the isle. Etheldreda entrusted the management of 


Every monk was to have two coats and two cowls ; and when they had 
new clothes, their old ones were given to the poor. 

Every monk was to have a table-book, a knife, a needle, and a 
handkerchief. The furniture of their beds was a mat, a blanket, a rug, 
and a pillow. 

A s to the abbot, he was to be chosen upon the qualifications of regularity 
and learning ; but in more modern times, the senior brother was generally , 
chosen by a majority; this superior was never to dine alone, but when 
there were no strangers, he was to invite some of the brothers to his table. 

These are the substantial parts of the Benedictine rule; the rest, 
being less significant, are omitted,— Collier's Eccles. Hist. vol. ii. p. 107. 


WISBECH. 


it to Ovin, # an earlderman of the household, and went 
herself into retirement. Her hand was, however, again 
solicited by Egfrid, prince of Northumberland, who 
obtained her for his wife, but when she had been 
wedded twelve years, she left her husband, repaired to 
a monastery in Scotland, and was their veiled a nun. 
Egfrid, afterwards king, desiring to have her again as 
his wife, endeavoured to take her out of the religious 
house; wherefore the abbess advised her to come to 
her own habitation at Ely, which she did, with her two 
maidens, Selbenna and Selvera, and was there received 
with great honor; Huna, a priest, also following her. 
Etheldreda’s first design was to have repaired the old 
church of king Ethelbert’s foundation, then in ruins, 
and erect a monastery near it, but before it had pro¬ 
ceeded too far, a more commodious situation was made 
choice of, on an eminence nearer to the river, as fitter 
for her purpose, and in this place the foundations of 
her church were laid, the inhabitants following her 
example, by deserting the former site, and beginning to 
build on the ground near adjoining to the monastery. 

The name of the old town is said to be still preserved 
in a field about a mile south of the present city,f called 


* The lower part of a stone cross, with a square pedestal, was found 
many years ago at Haddenham, in the isle; the inscription legible in Roman 
capitals : “Lucem tuam Ovinoda; deus et requiem, Amen.” It is therefore, 
in all probability, a work of the seventh century; a place has been chosen 
for it within the cathedral of Ely, and it may be said to be earlier by four 
hundred years than any thing therein; the stone probably terminated in a 
cross; the inscription may be considered as a prayer used by travellers and 
pilgrims at St. Ovin’s cross, possibly erected in his life time, since the words 
are capable of a very good sense, and applicable to one still living : “ Grant, 
“ O God, thy light, [to direct him in this world] and rest, [with thee in 
“ heaven] amen.” Bentham, p. 51. 

t Ely is the only city unrepresented in parliament. 


90 


HISTORY OF 


“ Cratendune Field,” but the exact situation is not 
discoverable. Etheldreda gave the whole island to 
her monastery, and obtained from pope Benedict great 
immunities and privileges for the new establishment. 
However these institutions might afterwards degenerate, 
we must acknowledge that to the monasteries of old 
we are highly indebted for many useful arts and im¬ 
provements; they may indeed be considered as colleges 
under another name, and we should form unjust ideas 
of them in general, if we relied solely on the report of 
those concerned in their dissolution. In their early state 
they were undoubtedly seminaries, as well for acquiring 
the finer arts, as for inculcating good morals and 
Christian instructions, and it has been observed, that 
had not the monks bestowed the pains of copying 
books, the learning of the ancients would have been 
lost for ever.* Etheldreda, having accomplished the 
a.d. foundation, was made abbess, and seven years after 
679. departed this life on 9th July a.d. 679, the holy man 
Huna celebrating the funeral; soon after her death, he 
withdrew to a little island not far from Ely, founded 
a church there, and lived in great solitude, the same 
being thereupon called Huneye.f The monastery 
flourished with great honour, and its inmates remained 
870. in peace and security for many years, until 870, when 
the Danes,J whose object was plunder and the spoliation 


* Those who were so disposed were furnished with conveniences for 
life and study; the abbies were very serviceable places for the education of 
young people; every convent had one person or more assigned for this 
business. To the abbies we are obliged for most of our historians, both of 
church and state .—Colliers Eccles. Hist. 

t Honey Farm, in Chatteris, is called after this ancient priest Huna, to 
which place he is supposed to have retired. 

t The three islands of Ely, Thanet, and Slieppy, which were chosen 
for the purposes of solitude and contemplation, because of their supposed 


WISBECH. 


91 


of the country, having made an invasion in this part of 
the realm, discovered this place of retirement, and such 
was their inhumanity, that after having ransacked the 
church of Ely of all its ornaments and wealth, they 
turned out the defenceless nuns, and burnt the buildings 
to the ground: they next proceeded to the destruction 
of the abbeys of Crowland, Thorney, Ramsey, and 
Medehamstead, as well as of many other places in the 
neighbourhood. 

Certain priests then possessed themselves of the a.d. 
revenues of this religious foundation, until the first year 969. 
of Edgar, # when Ethel wold, bishop of Winchester, the 
king’s confessor, purchased the whole district of the 
isle of Ely of the king, with the privilege, “ that it 
“ should ever be free from any regal tribute or ex- 
“ actionand, with other concessions, the king added 
forty hides of land in the town of Hatfield ; and having 
so done, Ethelwold, after having established a certain 
number of monks there, constituted Brythnod, provost 
of Winchester, the first abbot thereof, who exerted 
himself to complete the repairs of the conventual 
church. This afterwards became one of the most 
splendid, as its remains are now one of the most curious 
monuments of ecclesiastical antiquity in this kingdom. 

/ 

security through their insular situation, became the means of exposing them 
the more to the horrid plunder and devastation of the Danes, whom no 
distress could move, or treaties hind. The Danes, after obtaining a 
settlement here, chiefly inhabited the north of England, and the Saxons 
the south. The dread of the cruelties exercised by the Danes is said to 
have continued upon the mind for ages, in the northern parts. 

* King Edgar was a great friend to monasteries ;—he built and re- 
edified many abbeys; he also revived the naval glory of England, and is 
said to have been rowed down the river Dee by eight kings, his vassals. 


92 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. .Abbot Brithnod* first set forth the limits of the isle, 
976*. assisted by Leo, a monk, and for a perpetual evidence 
of the possessions belonging to his church, caused a 
deep ditch to be cut through the main body of the fen, 
called Abbot’s Delf, to remain as a boundary between 
the respective possessions.^ This monastery was largely 


i 

* Abbot Brithnod is said to have been slain by the orders of Elfrida, 
queen dowager of king Edgar. There was also a duke Brithnoth, a 
nobleman of the first rank in the court of king Edgar, who was particularly 
liberal to the church of Ely. Bentliam, p. 85. Brithnoth was duke of 
Northumberland, and sometimes called Alderman; he fell in an engagement 
with the Danish invaders, a. d. 991. Among the MSS. in the Cottonian 
library, is a fragment on the death of Brithnoth, in Anglo-Saxon poetry, 
distinguished by great spirit and eloquence. The poem is in praise of the 
warlike exploits and death of this nobleman. The title of duke was, in 
reality, first brought into England by king Edward III. who created his 
eldest son, duke of Cornwall. For though we find in Latin historians the 
word “Dux” used, and many “ Duces ” slain in the Danish invasion, 
yet they were not dukes, but governors of provinces. 

f The isle of Ely, strictly speaking, is that large tract of high ground, 
(of which the city of Ely is the principal place, and gives name to the 
whole) — in which are included the villages of Stretliam and Thetford, 
Wilburton, Haddenliam, Sutton, Mepal, Manea, Witcham, Wentworth, 
Witchford, Downham, and Chettisham, making collectively but one island. 
Littleport, Coveney, and Stuntney, (though sometimes reckoned part of it) 
were, in their original state, disjointed by small intervals of the fenny 
ground, and, therefore, were distinct islands of themselves ; but the three 
hundreds belonging to the isle extend from the bridge at Tid St. Giles, on 
the north, to Upware, below Stretliam Mere, on the south, twenty-eight 
miles in length ; and from Abbot’s Delf, near Soham, (where the Delf 
bridge was re-built by the dean and chapter of Ely in 1765) on the east, td 
the river Nene, beyond Whittlesey, on the west, twenty-five miles in 
breadth. This whole district includes (besides the isle of Ely, properly 
so called) several considerable towns and villages, as Wisbech, March, 
Chatteris, Doddington, Elm, Outwell, Upwell, Welney, Whittlesey, 
Thorney, Leverington, Newton, Tid St. Giles, &c. the whole whereof 
is now called the Isle of Ely, and is, as a county palatine, subject to the 
lord bishop of Ely. 


WISBECH. 


93 


endowed with lands by the abbot Brithnod, and other¬ 
wise richly beautified through the bounty of many 
zealous people; multitudes, for devotion’s sake, flocked 
hither, and king Canute, with his queen Emma, kept a.d. 
the feast of the purification at Ely, and as there was 1030. 
no other access but by shipping, he accordingly set 
sail thitherward, where, being received with solemn 
procession, and brought into the church, he ratified all 
the donations, before those present, which had been 
conferred by his royal predecessors, kings of England, 
with their immunities, upon the high altar; which 
privileges were again confirmed by Edward the Con¬ 
fessor, who is said to have received the early part of 
his education here. This place was considered so secure, 
by reason of the vast and deep waters wherein it was 
situated, that in the time of Edward the Confessor, 
when the Danes threatened another invasion, treasures 
were sent here for protection; but the most signal 
testimony of the strength of this place, on account of 
the said waters encompassing it, is, that during the 
confusion occasioned by the Norman invasion, divers 1066. 
of the principal nobility of the English nation made 
this place their greatest refuge against the strength and 
power of the Norman conqueror, and were able, for a 
considerable time, to hold out a defence against a most 
powerful army brought for subduing it. 

Its Defence against William the Conqueror, 

Notwithstanding that William, duke of Normandy, 
had gained his great and decisive victory of Hastings, 
some steps were taken by the English towards adjusting 
their disjointed government, and uniting themselves 
against the common enemy. Two potent earls, Edwin 


HISTORY OF 


and Morcar, who had fled to London, with the remainder 
of their broken army, took the lead on the occasion; in 
concert with Stigand, archbishop of Canterbury, they 
proclaimed Edgar Atheling, the only heir of the Saxon 
line, to be king.* However, the two earls, despairing 
of making any effectual resistance, retired with their 
troops to their own provinces, and as soon as William 
passed the Thames, Stigand made submission, and 
Edgar Atheling, who was ill qualified to govern, yielded 
to his authority. Still discontents and secret con- 
spiracies multiplied in various parts against the new 
government. Thurstan, the seventh abbot of Ely, 
willing to support the interest of Edgar Atheling, gave 
assistance and shelter to several English lords, deter¬ 
mined to defend their country against one whom they 
regarded as an usurper, and the natural strength of this 
isle was supposed capable of resisting the progress of 
William’s army; Stigand also, being looked upon with 
a jealous eye by the Conqueror, afterwards fled into 
the isle for safety, so likewise did Egfrid, abbot of 
St. Alban’s, with the treasures of his church, also the 
earls Edwin and Morcar, with Edelwine, bishop of 
Durham, besides many thousands of the clergy and 
laity. The noblemen understanding that Hereward, 
lord of Brunne,f in Lincolnshire, (youngest son of 
Leofric, earl of Mercia,) a person renowned for valour 
and military skill, was returned from abroad, whither he 
had been banished, sent for him to join in the defence 
of their native country; with which request Hereward 
willingly complied, and was received with great honor, 
as well by the abbot and his monks, as by the noble 
persons there, viz. Edwin, and Morcar, his brother. 


* Hume. 


t Bourn, in Lincolnshire. 


WISBECH. 


95 


with the earl of Warwick, and other eminent men, 
who, having been much oppressed by the Conqueror, 
had fled thither. # 

W hen king William was informed thereof, he resolved 
to obtain the isle by assault, and thereupon caused a 
rendezvous of his whole army at Alrehede, f but he 
could make no impression on the isle, and having 
sustained several disasters, departed with little or no 
hope of conquering it. 

Many noble exploits were performed by Hereward 
during the siege, who beat his adversaries, and deluded 
them so often, that he obtained lasting renown by 
sustaining the tottering ruins of the country. 

IIoiv the King obtained Possessioti thereof. 

The king, observing that all his endeavours to conquer 
the isle by force were frustrated by the obstinate valour 
of its defenders; having lost many men in the attempt, 
and considering, as he wanted to go into Normandy, it 
would be unsafe to leave such an enemy behind him, 
had recourse to other expedients, and even manifested 
a willingness to make terms with an enemy whom he 
could not overcome by arms. At length, by the counsel 
of William, bishop of Hereford, and others, the king 
came to a determination, that all the estates, manors, 


* Holinshed (p. 10) mentions the English nobility, with Hereward, 
taking refuge in the isle of Elie, to defend themselves from the injuries 
of the Normans. 

t Called Audreth at this present day, near which there is a military 
rumpire still to be seen. Dugdale, p. 186. 


96 


HISTORY OF 


and possessions belonging to the abbey, which lay 
without the compass of the isle, should be seized on 
and divided amongst his soldiers, who would thereby 
be excited to more than ordinary diligence: the monks 
having knowledge of this, consulted with their abbot, 
and resolved not only to yield peaceably to the king, 
in case he would honourably restore them all the 
manors and lands belonging to their church, but to 
give him one thousand marks; and accordingly, without 
the knowledge of the noble Hereward, made that tender 
to the king at Warwick, who received the proposal with 
approbation. Hereward, being informed of this step, 
at first, in his rage, resolved to set fire to the church 
and town, but desisted at the earnest prayer of the 
a.d. monks; still, refusing himself to submit, he left the 
1073. isle,* it being the seventh year of his holding of the 
same against the king. 

* 

After' the Surrender of the Isle to the King , how 
it became a Bishoprick, and how the Conventual 
Church was afterwards converted into a Cathedral 
by Henry VIII . 

1073. King William, having now got possession of the isle, 
in order to protect himself from the like annoyance from 
the same quarter in future, compelled the abbot to 


* Though it is said that Hereward never ceased to concert hostile 
measures against the Conqueror, still he had not only the singular fortune 
to escape death or imprisonment in these turbulent times, but, which is 
more remarkable, it appears that his estates descended to his heirs ; for his 
only daughter and heir married Hugh de Evermore, lord of Deeping, in 
Lincolnshire, from whom the great lordship of Brunne (Hereward’s 
patrimony) descended by female heirs, to the families of Rulton, Fitz- 
Gilbert, and Wake. 


WISBECH. 


97 


i* 


maintain a force of forty soldiers* for its security, who 
had their constant diet in his hall, as also daily pay at 
the hands of the cellarer, and he likewise caused a castle 
to be built at Wisbech, f to overawe and control that 
part of the country. A monk named Godfrey having, a 
few years after the surrender, acquired the administration 
of the abbey, had sufficient influence with king William 
to obtain a charter, and get the same confirmed, for 
putting the church of Ely “ in possession of all the 
“ royalties, rights, and privileges which it enjoyed at 
“ king Edward’s death.” With these renewed privileges, 
riches in great abundance soon flowed in, J and the 
college festivals and solemn holidays were celebrated 

* This circumstance was commemorated by an ancient painting to be 
seen in the deanery, known as Tabula Eliensis. There are few pieces of 
English antiquity that have afforded more amusement to the curious, than 
the representation given to certain knights and monks of Ely in this 
painting ; several copies have been published—one is at the Ashmolean 
Museum, Oxford ; and in Bentham’s Ely, p. 106, is a representation of this 
Tabula. It appears that the knights and gentlemen there represented 
were some of the principal officers in William’s army, and of families 
making the greatest figure at that time, their descendants still bearing 
the same arms. The difficulty is to determine at what time these arms 
were first put up in the common hall of the monastery. It was usual with 
the king to quarter his soldiers on the monasteries in many places in the 
kingdom, before knights’ service was fixed : on William taking the isle by 
force, he went to the monastery, and the abbot and monks being under 
his displeasure, he placed therein a sufficient number of soldiers to keep 
the monks in awe, and afterwards the monastery was fixed by the knights’ 
service to find forty soldiers. 

t Matthew Paris mentions the forces under Hereward, and William’s 
surrounding the isle with an army and building a castle, in the following 
words:—“ Castellum in loco qui Wiseberum dicitur, a fundamentis erexit. 
“ Quod cum adversarii ejus cognovissent, omnes prfeter solumHerewardum, 
“ ad manu venientes, Wilielmo sese presentarunt quod libet supplicium 
“ subituri.” 

X So rich was the monastery, that the abbot was said to lay up every 
year in his own purse fourteen hundred marks. 

G 


98 


HISTORY OF 


after this time with such sumptuous provision and 
stately pomp, that they are said “ to have wonne the 
“ praise and prize from all the abbeys in England 
whereupon a poet of that age wrote these verses: 


Prsevisis aliis Eliensia festa videre, 

Est quasi praevisa nocte videre diem. 

See, after other, Ely feasts, and surely thou wilt say. 

That, having seen the night before, thou seest now the day. 


a.d. When Godfrey was removed to Malmsbury, Simeon, 
1081. brother to the bishop of Winchester, was appointed to 
the abbacy, and soon after his promotion, laid the 
foundation of the present magnificent and stupendous 
structure, which is to be considered as one of the 
oldest and most elaborate remains of antiquity now 
existing in this island, containing a complete system 
of architectural and sculptural taste, and displaying a 
singular intermixture of the Saxon, Norman, and Gothic 
styles of building.* Richard, the successor of Simeon, 
prosecuted the structure with diligence; he was son of 
earl Gislebert, and the last abbot; and his revenues 
being so considerable,f that he could not endure to live 

* The very able and interesting History of this noble edifice, by 
James Bentliam, M. A. minor canon of Ely, and the Supplement to that 
w r ork, published in 1817, by Stevenson, Matchett, and Stevenson, of 
Norwich, are too well known to require any other notice than the mere 
mention of these invaluable works. To them may be added, a judicious 
treatise on the same inexhaustible subject, by the Rev. G. Millers, minor 
canon of Ely ; a volume of less pretensions, but written in a pleasing style, 
and illustrated by engravings of singular clearness and beauty. 

t The annual revenues of the abbey are said to have amounted at 
this time to ,£ 1,400. It is calculated that in the time of William the 
Conqueror, such sum was equivalent to twelve times the amount in 1826 ; 
in the time of Henry VIII. it would be equal to five times. 


WISBECH. 


99 


under the bishop of Lincoln, (to whose diocese the 
isle of Ely and Cambridgeshire then belonged) he 
suggested to king Henry I. that this would be a fit 
place for an Episcopal See; and having procured 
the pope’s consent, he obtained that also of the king, 
hoping to have been the first bishop of this new diocese; 
but he did not live to taste the sweets of his industry 
and ambition. The king, nevertheless, completed his 
design of erecting the abbey into a see, and having 
bestowed the manors of Spaldwicke, Bricklesworth, and 
Buckden upon the bishop of Lincoln, in recompense for 
the loss which the said bishop sustained by exempting 
the county of Cambridge from his jurisdiction, he 
made Harvey,* bishop of Bangor, in Wales, the first 
Bishop of Ely; and that the revenues of the bishoprick 
might afford him honourable support, he assigned a 
part of the profits of the abbey to the new see, and 
reduced the number of monks from seventy to forty. 

The abbey being now converted into a conventual 
church, Henry I. immediately afterwards granted a 
charter, by which he allowed that the church of Ely 
should continue to have the same privileges and liberties 
as it had, “ Die qua Edwardus vivus et mortuus fait;” 
and the bishops, in place of the abbots, were considered 
as invested with the temporal jurisdiction of the isle.T 
At that time there was not any other access to the 


* Harvey was driven from his see of Bangor by the tumultuous Welsh, 
but finding favor with the king, was preferred to Ely, which is the only 
abbey that was converted into a see :— “ Rex Henricus Abbatiam Eliensis 
“ in episcopalem sedem commutavit.” Matthew of Westminster, p. 143. 
lib. ii. 

t Bishops were before monks in most places, but in the county of 
Cambridge monks were before bishops. In the cathedral, the bishop occu* 
pies what was the abbot’s seat, and the dean that of the prior. 

G 2 


LofO. 


TOO 


HISTORY OF 


isle than by ships and boats; this bishop, therefore, 
a, d. being desirous of having a way or road through the fen, 
1133. made that causeway which still retains the name of 
“ Soham Causey.” To Harvey succeeded Nigellus, who, 
having joined in the rebellion against king Stephen, 
and discerning the isle to be a place of great security, 
made a strong fort within the precinct thereof at Ely,* * * § 

and another at Audrey. 

\ 

1216. In the war between king John and his barons, the 
isle was doomed again to desolation the monasteries 
were plundered, and great sums of money extorted 
from the monks.£ 

1256. Matthew Paris § mentions an agreement taking place 
this year, between William, bishop of Ely, and Hugh, 
abbot of Ramsey, respecting certain boundaries of the 
fens, which, he says, in former times, were inaccessible ; 
without men or cattle, and overrun with reeds; but 
now converted into delightful meadows and arable 
lands. 


* There are no vestiges of this castle remaining, but there is a certain 
district of the city of Ely known by the name of Castle Ward :— probably 
the high artificial mount on the south side of the cathedral might have been 
the keep of the fort. 

t Matthew Paris, p. 193. 

} Divers knights, ladies, and gentlemen fled out of the towns, and 
withdrew into the isle of Elie, when the army of king John followed and 
besieged them, and by reason of the w r aters in the fens and ditches being 
frozen, they found means to enter, and spoiled it from side to side, 
together with the cathedral church, carrying from thence on their 
departure a marvellous great prey of goods and chattels. Holinshed, 
vol. iii. p. 190. 

§ He was a Benedictine monk of St. Alban’s, and flourished in 
the thirteenth century, and is represented to have been one of the 
most learned men of the age, being an able mathematician, architect, 
poet, orator, and historian:—he died a.d. 1239. 


WISBECH. 


101 


In the troublesome times of Henry III. Ely was the a.d, 
chief scene of civil discord; the rebellious barons took 1265. 
possession of the isle, established themselves therein, 
and fortified it on every side. The king came to Cam¬ 
bridge,* and was there joined by prince Edward, who 
brought him a strong reinforcement, and effected the 
capture of the whole district without much opposition, 
the barons attempting no further resistance. There are 
few historical events connected with the isle after 
this period; but we cannot help noticing a remark 
of Holinshed, who observes, that when the duke of 
Buckingham resolved to assist in deposing king Richard 
III. and to prefer the earl of Richmond to the crown, 1484. 
bishop Morton, who was then confined in Brecknock 
castle, was consulted, when he told the duke, “ that 
“ if he was in his isle of Ely, and had but four days 
“ warning, he little regarded the malice of king 
“ Richard, his countrie was so strong.” After the 
surrender of the monastery to king Henry VIII. that 1540. 
monarch, by his letters patent, granted a charter for 
erecting the conventual church of the monastery into 
a cathedral, by the title of “ The Cathedral Church 
“ of the holy and undivided Trinity of Elyto consist 
of one dean and eight prebendaries, with other ministers 
necessary for celebrating divine service therein; and 
ordained that the cathedral church should be the epis¬ 
copal see of the bishop of Ely and his successors, with 
all usual honours and privileges;* and that the dean and 

* The king lay at Cambridge to defend the counties about from injuries 
daily attempted by them that held the isle of Ely against him. Holinshed, 
vol. iii. p. 273. 

f This see has given two Saints and two Cardinals to the church of 
Rome; and to the English nation, nine lord Chancellors, seven lord 
Treasurers, one lord Privy-Seal, one Chancellor of the Exchequer, one 
Chancellor to the University of Oxford, three Masters of the Rolls, and 
three Almoners. 


102 


HISTORY OF 


prebendaries should be one body corporate, and be the 
chapter of the bishop of Ely and his successors, and 
be called, “ The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
“ Church of the holy and undivided Trinity of Ely.” 

a.d. Lesley, bishop of Ross, in Scotland, was sent a 

1568. prisoner to the isle of Ely, probably to Wisbech castle, 
and then to the tower. His services to queen Mary had 
recommended him to the see of Ross. Upon Mary’s 
flight into England, he ably defended her, and afterwards 
went to London as her embassador. The measures he 
pursued to procure her liberty, by a marriage with the 
duke of Norfolk, proved offensive to queen Elizabeth, 
but he, nevertheless, in 1573 obtained his release, 

1640. In the time of Charles I. whilst the commons were 
pursuing their project of church reformation, they drew 
up an impeachment against Wren, bishop of Ely, 
digested into twenty-five articles. The substance of the 
articles amounted to no more than that the bishop 
pressed conformity, and exerted the discipline of the 
church. The bishop was committed to the tower, but 
the prosecution was afterwards dropped. 

\ 

On Counties Palatine and Franchises , and particularly 

of that of Fly. 

Although our sovereign lord the king is undoubtedly 
supreme head both of our church and state, and all the 
lands therein are holden of him as “ Dominus Superior ” 
thereof, yet, by the indulgence of his majesty’s royal 
progenitors, and under their grants, confirmed or ac¬ 
knowledged by parliament, several of his majesty’s 
subjects do still enjoy certain “ jura regalia,” notwith¬ 
standing their powers have been diminished by the 


WISBECH. 


103 


various revolutions in the state, and the statute 27th 
Henry VIII. “ for re-continuing Liberties in the Crown.” 
This statute, though it deprived those subjects of their 
almost regal power, such as pardoning felonies, coining 
money, &c. yet still left them peculiar privileges. 
Before this act was introduced, some few great men, 
from the earliest ages, had retained or obtained the 
highest marks, and exercised the ultimate acts of 
sovereignty, such as holding their parliaments, ap¬ 
pointing their chancellors and judges, and remitting 
penalties ; and the few comites we read of at the time of 
the Roman invasion may probably have been a sort of 
petty sovereigns. Thus William I. created William 
Lupus, his sister’s son, earl of Chester; “totumque istum 
“ comitatum tenendum sibi et heredibus suis, ita libere 
“ ad gladum sicut ipse rex tenebat Angliam ad coronam, 
“ deditby which grant, says lord Coke, that earl 
had “jura regalia” within that county; and, conse¬ 
quently, had “ comitatum palatinum,”— a parliament 
and peers, with other great officers, as chancellor and 
judges thereto belonging, without any express words 
thereof.*' 

King Edgar endowed the monastery of Ely with large 
possessions, and by a charter granted to it the temporal 
jurisdiction through the isle.f This charter (afterwards 
confirmed by Edward the Confessor, and again by William 
I. and Henry I.) has always been considered as the 
foundation, and is the ground of that temporal juris¬ 
diction which the monastery of Ely continued to exercise 


* Nicliolls’ Account of the Gentleman’s Society at Spalding, 
t King Edgar’s charter is dated in the thirteenth year of his reign, 
a. d. 970. Bentham’s Ely , p. 73. 


104 


HISTORY OF 


from the time it was re-founded, until the bishoprick 
was erected, and which has from that time been 
vested in, and is at this day enjoyed by the bishop 
of the diocese. 

The franchise of Ely is one of the most ancient of 
the kind in the whole kingdom, and may be traced back 
as far as the seventh century ; and as it is probably 
the most ancient, so does it contain a large district, 
and has more powers and privileges belonging to it 
than any other franchise, except that of the bishop of 
Durham.* 

The isle of Ely, as a franchise belonging to the lord 
bishop, has a jurisdiction within itself, distinct from 
that of the county, in which it is locally situated, 
in civil as well as in criminal matters. A general 
assize of oyer and terminer and gaol delivery, and a 
court of pleas for the trial of civil actions to any amount, 
(as at nisi prius in the superior courts) are held twice, 
and sessions four times a year, at Ely and Wisbech 
alternately. Agreeably to the statute 27th Henry VIII. 
cap. 24, above mentioned, justices of oyer and terminer 
and gaol delivery, and justices of the peace for the isle 
of Ely, are now made by letters patent under the great 
seal, and all writs run in the king’s name, tested in 
that of the bishop, as lord of the franchise. And by 
the act referred to, it is provided and enacted, that the 
bishops of Ely, and “ their temporal steward of the isle 
“ for the time being, are to be justices of the peace 
“ within the said isle, in as ample and large manner as 
“ any other justices of the peace in any other county.” 


* Appendix to Bentlaam’s Ely, p. 25. 


WISBECH. 


105 


There is no connexion between the isle and county at 
large, as to their public rates, the inhabitants within the 
isle not contributing to the rates for that part of the 
county which is beyond the limits of the isle, nor such 
part of the county to the isle, which has its own 
treasurers, with the sole application of its own public 
monies. The juries, as well in criminal as in civil 
cases, are summoned by the chief bailiff,* (who alone 
has that power within the isle) from the inhabitants of 
the isle only; and such inhabitants are not liable to 
serve, nor ever do serve as jurors for the county at 
large, either at the assizes or the sessions. It has also 
its own gaol and houses of correction. The chief justice 
and chief bailiff, as well as the other officers, are ap¬ 
pointed by the bishop. The office of chief bailiff is one 
of considerable importance, being equivalent in the isle 
to that of high sheriff of a county, and he does every 
act which a sheriff of a county performs, except that 
he does not account before the barons of the exchequer, 
and his appointment is pro termino vitee. The gaol is 
supported at the sole expense of the bishop, but the 
charge of maintaining the houses of correction is paid 
out of the isle rates. 

* 

The present Officers of the Isle are as under: 

Henry Storks, Esq. Chief Justice, 

William Watson, Esq. Chief Bailiff, 

Mr. John Wing, Deputy, 

* He was anciently called “ Senescliallus Insulae Eliensis.” The office 
has been held by persons of the first respectability, several of the bishops 
having appointed their sons or brothers to it; and it is understood to be the 
same office which is called by the act 27th Henry VIII. “ Temporal 
44 Steward of the Isle of Ely.” 


106 


HISTORY OF 


\ 


Hugh Jackson, Esq. Clerk of Assize and of the Peace.* ** 
Hugh Robert Evans, ) n 
William Pratt, 

Huph Robert Evans, Esq. ) ™ 

8 7 1 > lreasurers . 

Hugh Jackson, Esq. ' 

Robert Edwards, N 

Thomas Newitt, f 

William Squier, C Chie f CoHstahles - 

James Custance, j 

Rev. John Griffith, Chaplain for the Gaol at Eh/. 

-George Millers, Chaplain for the House of Correction 

at Eli/. 

-Jeremiah Jackson, Chaplain for ditto at Wisbech. 

Benjamin Barlow, Keeper of the Gaol . 


* This gentleman succeeded James Bellamy, Esq. the late clerk of 
assize and of the peace, at Michaelmas sessions, 1826 ; the duties of which 
office were discharged by his deputy, Steed Girdlestone, Esq. for twenty-five 
years, with integrity, faithfulness, and ability; and, I have pleasure iu 
adding, with the unqualified approbation of every acting magistrate in the 
isle. Upon his retirement, the following testimonial of respect was paid 
to him* 

“ Isle of Ely, 20th November, 1826. 

“ The Chief Justice, Acting Magistrates of the Isle, and Barristers 
attending the Assizes and Sessions there, are desirous of affording a 
memorial of the high sense they entertain of the public conduct of 
“ Steed Girdlestone, Esq. the late Deputy Clerk of the Peace for 
“ this Isle, the duties of which office he performed for a quarter of a 
“ century, with so much honour, integrity, and talent, as to gain universal 
“ respect and approbation. 

“ Although, by the decease of the late Clerk of the Peace, the services 
* f of Mr. Girdlestone will not any longer be continued, they cannot allow 

** him to retire from the responsible duties of his office without some ex- 
tl pression of their regard for the able and faithful manner in which he so 
“ long discharged its important duties; and accordingly propose that a 
4t PIECE OF PLATE be purchased, as a permanent record of the esteem 
“ with which they have viewed his meritorious conduct. 




WISBECH 


107 


Robert Scott, Keeper of the House of Correction at Ely . 
Samuel Cradock, Keeper of ditto at Wisbech . 

Billett Genn, 

Daniel Brown Witham, 


| Bailiffs of the Isle. 


W e, therefore, agree to subscribe the sum of Two Guineas, as set 
“ opposite to our respective names, to be laid out in the purchase of a Piece 
of I late of such description as the subscribers shall think proper. 


of. 

s* 

d . 


of. 

s. 

d. 

“ The Chief Justice } L) 

2 

0 

“ Thomas Orton, Esq. 

2 

2 

0 

of the Isle .... $ 



“ H. J. Nicholls, Esq. 

2 

2 

0 

“ The Very Rev. Dr. ) 

2 

0 

“ J. T. Dering, Esq. 

2 

2 

0 

Wood, Dean of Ely * 



4 ‘ Rev. J. Wing. 

2 

2 

0 

“ Rev. G. L. Jenyns.. 2 

2 

0 

“ Tycho Wing, Esq. ...... 

2 

2 

0 

“ Rev. J. H. Sparke .. 2 

2 

0 

“ Rev. T. C. W. Seymour.. 

2 

0 

0 

“ Rev. II. Fardell .. 2 

2 

0 

“ Rev. J. T. Cook.. 

2 

2 

0 

“ Rev. Dr. Jobson 2 

2 

0 

“ J. D. Merest, Esq. 

2 

2 

0 

t( Rev. Dr. Chatfield .. 2 

2 

0 

“ Thomas Bowker, Esq. .. 

2 

2 

0 

“ Rev. A. Peyton.... 2 

2 

0 

“ Jonathan Page, Esq. 

2 

2 

0 

4 ‘ W. D. Gardner,Esq. 2 

2 

0 

“ George Pryme, Esq. 

2 

2 

0 

“ Dr. Hardwicke .... 2 

2 

0 

“ Lewis Flanaglian, Esq. .. 

2 

2 

0 

4 ‘ William Watson, Esq. 2 

2 

0 

“ Charles Jenyns, Esq. 

2 

2 

0 

“ Rev. W. Hardwicke 2 

2 

0 

* 






“ Agreeable to the above resolution, the committee gave orders for the 
“ purchase of a Piece of Plate, with the following inscription to be en- 
“ graved thereon :— 

** ‘ IN THE YEAR 1827", 

“ PRESENTED BY 

“ THE CHIEF JUSTICE, ACTING MAGISTRATES, AND BARRISTERS OF THE 

“ ISLE OF ELY, 

“ To STEED GIRDLESTONE, Esquire, 

AS AN UNANIMOUS EXPRESSION OF RESPECT FOR HIS VERY ABLE AND 
FAITHFUL DISCHARGE OF THE DUTIES OF DEPUTY CLERK OF 
“ ASSIZE AND OF THE PEACE FOR THE ISLE, 

“ DURING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.’ ” 

Which piece of plate was accordingly presented to Mr. Girdlestone at a 
public dinner in Wisbech, by the Rev. Algernon Peyton, who consented to 
take the chair on that occasion. 










108 


HISTORY OF 


The present State of the Isle. 

It has been shewn that the isle of Ely was, at one 
period, in a desolate state, being frequently inundated 
by the upland waters, and destitute of adequate means 
of drainage; the lower parts became a wilderness of 
stagnant pools, the exhalations from which loaded the 
air with pestiferous vapours and fogs. Now, by the 
improvements which have from time to time been made, 
and particularly within the last fifty years, an alteration 
has taken place which may appear to be the effect of 
magic. By the labour, industry, and spirit of the inhabi¬ 
tants, a forlorn waste has been converted into pleasant and 
fertile pastures, and they themselves have been rewarded 
by bounteous harvests. Drainage, embankments, en¬ 
gines,* and inclosures have given stability to the soil, 
(which in its nature is rich as the Delta of Egypt) as 
well as salubrity to the air.'f These very considerable 
improvements, though carried on at a great expense, 
have at last turned to a double account, both in re¬ 
claiming much ground and improving the rest, and in 
contributing to the healthiness of the inhabitants. The 
pastures feed vast herds of cattle,J and the numerous 
lakes, rivers, and watercourses which pervade the fens. 


* In drainage, windmills are employed to raise the water from the low¬ 
lands, and deliver it into the rivers and drains; but a great improvement 
upon this method has been recently introduced, by the substitution of steam 
power for the very uncertain power of wind, as it often happens that when 
there is most rain, there is least wind, and the wind machines are useless at 
the time when most wanted. 

t The same has been said of the fens in Lincolnshire. 

J The pastures are clothed with flocks, the valleys also are covered over 
with corn ; they shout for joy, they also sing. Tsalm lxv. v. 13. 


WISBECH. 


abound in fish and wild fowl,* and give the inhabitants 
an easy communication with several counties, as well as 
with the sea, thereby affording a brisk and continually 
increasing trade. Works of modern refinement have 
given a totally different face and character to this once 
neglected spot. Much has been performed,—much yet 
remains to be accomplished by the rising generation. 
The population of the isle, which increases yearly, is 
about 46,000, independent of the county. In the con¬ 
tested election in 1802, the number polled was 3,092, 
of which near 1,400 were from the isle, and the rest 
from the county. 


The Chief or High Bailiffs of the Isle of Ely, ivhose 
Names are to be found on Record . 


When ap¬ 
pointed. 

A.D. 

The names. 

By whom appointed. 

1294 

Robert de Scadeworthf 
Roger Abynton. 


1308 

Ralph de Norwich. 


1329 

John Bosse.J 


1445 

Roger Davy, . 

Bishop Bourgchier.§ 

1459 

John Ansty. 

John Mesanger. 


1468 

William Curson. 

William Michell. 
Matthew Christian. 
Jordan de Daventre. 

Bishop Gray. 


* Fish, such as pike, perch, dace, bream, eels, &c. are found in abun¬ 
dance, and a fish called stickleback, which comes in such numbers as to be 
used for manure. The following birds inhabit the fens : the duck, mallard, 
teal, widgeon, water hen, wild swan, heron, snipe, wild goose, pewit, 
water rail, bittern, besides ruffs, &c. 

t See Dugdale, p. 247. t Ibid. p. 303. 

$ He was great-grandson to king Edward III. 











110 


HISTORY OF 


YVhen ap¬ 
pointed. 

A.D. 


The names. 


By whom appointed. 


1501 

1516 

1546 

1600 

1661 

1698 

1725 

1726 
1749 

1753 

1770 

1783 

1791 

1822 


John Burgoyne. 

Edmund Wyngfield. 

Thomas de Inglethorpe. 
Thomas Meggs. 

Sir John Huddlestone. 
Thomas Heton, brother to 
Thomas Edwards, Esq. 
Wm. Wren, Esq. brother to 
Thomas Edwards, Jun. .. 
Charles Clarke, Esq. of} 

Lincoln’s Inn. j 

Edward Parthericke, Esq. # 


Thomas Gooch, Esq. el-} 

dest son of. $ 

Francis Wyatt, Esq. 

William Ward, Esq. of ^ 
Staple’s Inn ... S 


Thomas Gotobed, Esq. .. 

Francis Bagge, Esq. 

Wm. Watson, Esq. F. A. S.f 


Bishop West* 


Bishop Heton. 

Bishop W ren. 
Bishop Patrick. 

Bishop Green. 
Ditto. 

Bishop Gooch. 
Ditto. 

Bishop Mawson. 

Bishop Yorke. 
Ditto. 

Bishop Sparke. 


* He was lord of the manor of Littleport, which he sold to lord Chan¬ 
cellor Hardwicke. The Partherickes had been in possession of the manor 
near a century. 

t The compiler feels happy in this opportunity of acknowledging 
the high sense he entertains of the gracious manner in which his lordship 
was pleased to confer upon him this ancient and honourable office, unso¬ 
licited as it was, and on his part in every way unexpected. 


We now come to the third heady which constitutes our 
main design:—An Account of the Ancient and Present 
State of the Town of Wisbech. 




i 

































Published, byBScJXeaxJi. WsberfU8‘d7. 













































































































































































































































WISBECH. 


Ill 


\ 


THE ANCIENT AND PRESENT STATE 


OF THE 


TOWN OF WISBECH. 


Previously to the final departure of the Romans, it 
is supposed that they built many forts for the protection 
of the eastern and southern coasts of the island. Tacitus 

• r 

mentions that Publius Ostorius erected a chain of forts 
from the Nene to the Severn and when we consider 
how important the Nene must have been whilst the 
Ouse discharged its waters by the same channel, it is 
not probable that a shrewd people like the Romans 
would leave a barrier of such consequence undefended, 
A fort is said to have been erected at Boston, (sup¬ 
posed by some to be the site of the Roman station 
Causennee of Antoninus) and Dr. Stukeleyf conjectures 


* Cinctosq. Castris Antonam et Sabrinam Eluvios, &c. vol. ii. annal. lib. 12. 
t Dr. Stukeley was a means of reviving the Royal Society of Antiquarians 
in 1717, of which Camden was one of the founders in the reign of Elizabeth. 
The doctor, writing to Mr. Gale in 1727, about “ Roman Stations,” says, 
the Hermen Way all along accompanying Durobrivae, (now Castor, near 
Peterborough) ought to be fixed at the water of the river Anton or Nen, 



112 


HISTORY OF 


that there were similar ones at Wisbech and Spalding.* 
A proof that some of the Roman colonies were settled 
in these parts may be deduced from the testimony of 
the urns, coins, &c. dug up.f Beaupre Bell, Esq. 
in his letters published in Bib. Top. dated 1730, 
gives the description of the pipes of a Roman aqueduct 
found at Wisbech, besides several other Roman anti¬ 
quities in the neighbourhood. The name which the 
banks in the vicinity of Wisbech have invariably born 
for centuries seems to point out the people by whom 
they were constructed, having been immemorially, and 
being still called “ the Roman Banksthey are formed 
of a large, high, and firm structure, calculated to guard 
the low lands from the ocean. Dugdale also remarks, 
that in cutting some drains through the adjacent fens, 
divers urns were dug up, one on the north side of 


where there is a great remnant of a city, (Chesterton, near Castor) that 
has had a very large ditch about it, and perhaps a wall, and where the 
Herman Street passes the river ;—this I take to have originally sprung from 
one of the forts built along the river, to the head of it and the Severn, as 
Tacitus informs us, by Ostorius. In making the turnpike road from Ket’s 
Cabin to Wansford, innumerable urns and coins were found, several stone 
coffins were dug up, all of which had skeletons in them ; in one was a coin 
of Antoninus Pius. Bib. Top. Brit. Line. Antiq. vol. i. 

There were four remarkable Roman ways in England: — the first, 
Watling Street, from Dover to London, &c.; the second, Ikenild Street 
before mentioned, (page 4) ; the third, Fosse Way, so called because in some 
places it was never perfected, but lay as a ditch, leading from Cornwall to 
Lincoln ; and the fourth, Hermen, or Irming Street above mentioned. 
Pvoman roads never deviated from a straight line, except where nature 
opposed some impediment. 

* Thompson’s History of Boston. 

t For antiquities and Roman bricks found at Walpole, see p. 11. And 
for coins, urns, &c. discovered in various other parts in the neighbourhood 
of Wisbech, see the description of those towns where they were dug up 
and found, such as at Newton, Elm, March, Chatteris, Doddington, &c. 




WISBECH. 


113 


Wisbech, and another about Peakirk. # In an attempt 
to trace the origin of towns, we are generally involved 
in conjecture, but the history of few places can be 
carried to a more remote period than the one we are 
treating of. We know the point of junction of two 
rivers, with a rich fruitful soil, would soon induce people 
to collect together in a situation of that kind. Such a 
settlement, first forming a village, would progressively 
enlarge itself. 

Wisbech seems to have been very well known in the 
seventh century, as in a charter of Wulphere’s, (son of 
Peada, king of the Mercians) granted to the abbey of 
Medehamstead,f a. d. 664, it is thus recorded in the 
Saxon chronicle :J “I give to day to St. Peter and the 
“ abbot Saxulph and monks of the minster, these lands, 
“ these waters and meres, and fens and wiers, that are 
“ of my kingdom freely, so that no man have there any 
u egress but the abbot and the monks: this is the gift;— 
“ From Medehamstead to Nasboro, &c. from Ragwell 
“ five miles, to the main river that goeth to Elm and 
“ to Wisbece, and so about three miles to Trokenholt, 
“ &c.” § Which record brings the notice of Wisbech 
very near to the time of the departure of the Romans. 
Many larger towns are satisfied to find themselves 
first recorded in the register of Domesday, but we go 
between four and five centuries further back. Leland, in 
his Itinerary, seems to have avoided this country, but 


* A.D. 1658. Dugdale, p. 174. 
t Now Peterborough. 

$ A learned lady, Miss Gurney, of Keswick, Norfolk, has the honour 
of having printed the first literal version of the Saxon Annals. 

§ See title,—Leverington, in the account of the adjacent villages. 

H 


114 


HISTORY OF 


the possession of Walpole by the church of Ely,* as a 
place of note at an early period, may be considered 
another proof of the existence of such towns in the 
neighbourhood. Further, in Camden’s Britannia, to 
which a map of the island of Great Britain is annexed, 
(entitled Britannia Saxonica) there will be found among 
the few places thereon delineated, a Saxon town named 
“ Fipebec,” in English, “Visebec,” or “ Wisebec,” 
situated at the mouth of the Metaris jEstuarium. This 
circumstance, whilst it affords testimony of antiquity, 


* Ely manor, in Walpole, was for some centuries vested in the see of 
Ely, and continued so until the bishoprick of Dr. Cox, a. d. 1559, when it 
came to the crown. On bishop Cox’s translation to this see, several estates 
were alienated therefrom, for which, however, he was in no wise blamable; 
for in 1st Elizabeth, cap. 19, an act passed, “ giving authority to the queen, 
“ upon the avoidance of any archbishoprick or bishoprick, to take into her 
“ hands certain of the temporal possessions thereof, recompensing the same 
“ with parsonages impropriate and tenths.” The censure, therefore, passed 
on many of the bishops in that reign, for giving up the ancient possessions 
of their churches, to the detriment of their successors, seems to be without 
foundation, for it was not in their power to prevent it. With respect to 
bishop Cox’s alienations, (as they are called) it cannot be said he was easily 
wrought upon. These manors were not, in truth, voluntarily given up, but 
kept in the queen’s hands by virtue of the above act, and the bishop w r as 
obliged to receive whatever the queen’s commissioners thought fit to give in 
exchange, out of the tenths then in possession of the crown. Amongst 
many other manors taken away from the church of Ely at that time, were 
the manors of Walpole, Terringtm, and West Walton. Charges have been 
brought both against bishop Cox, and his successor, bishop Heton, of alien¬ 
ating the estates of the church ; but their compliance with the queen’s 
commands will further appear to be the effect rather of compulsion than 
inclination, by the letter from the queen to bishop Heton : “ Proud prelate, I 
“understand you are backward in complying with your agreement, but I 
“ would have you to know, that I, who made you what you are, can unmake 
“ you, and if you do not forthwith fulfil your engagement, I will unfrock 
“you. Your’s, as you demean yourself, Elizabeth.” Stevenson’s Appendix 
to Bentham’s Ely. 


WISBECH. 

marks it a place of some note, which it undoubtedly 
must have been whilst the Nene and Ouse discharged 
their waters, that way, and when “ ships of great burthen 
“resorted thither.”* In respect to the etymology 
of the name of Wisbech, it is difficult to speak with 
certainty. The first syllable is probably derived from 
the river Ouse, which at one period was called the river 
“Wise;” T and we have seen instances where the 
first syllable of proper names is altered without any 
reason being assigned, as in Falkingham, which in 
Domesday book is called “ Folchin.” The latter syllable 
has commonly or vulgarly been considered as taking its 
origin from “ Beach ” of the sea; but may not the 
termination be found in the Saxon word “ Bee,” (which 
signifies water or a running river) for it has been shewn 
that it was called by the Saxons, Visebec or Wisebec ? 
In Domesday book we find it to be “Wisebece,” and 
in the times of Edward I. Edward III. Richard II. and 
Henry VI. Dugdale writes the name “ WTsebeche.” At 
the foundation of the guild in 1379, it is spelt in the 
books of the brotherhood, and on their corporate seal, 
“ Wysbech.” Again, in the charters of king Edward VI. 
and king Charles II. the orthography is “Wysbeche.” 
We read of “ Bee,” in Normandy, famous for its abbey, 
as the name of a place seated on a tongue of land at the 
confluence of two rivers , the situation of which precisely 
answers to that of Wisbech, at the mouth of the Ouse 
(or Wise) and Nene. Beccles, in Suffolk, is on the 
river Waveney; Skirbeck, in Lincolnshire, is on the bank 
of the Witham. From the many changes in orthography 
and pronunciation, the original or radical word, whence 
many of our towns and villages have taken their names, 

* Badeslade. t Dugdale, p. 307. 15tlx Edward III. 1338. 

H 2 


115 


116 


HISTORY OF 


must rest upon mere conjecture; but, under the above 
authorities, our opinion is with deference offered,—that 
the termination had its origin from the Saxon word 
“ bee,” which has been softened down to “ bech,” for the 
aspiration “ ch ” was brought in by the Normans, as is 
exemplified by the Saxon “ ic ” formed into “ ich,” 
“ cild ” into “ child,” &c.; and that the mode of late 
years adopted and used by the inhabitants of the 
town in writing it “ Wisbech,” is the true and right 
orthography. The history of the town, though certainly 
of great antiquity, is involved in much obscurity, for 
independent of Wulphere’s charter in a. d. 664, little 
thereof is known anterior to a. d. 1000, # when the 
manor of Wisbech f is said to have been given to the 
abbot and convent of Ely, by Oswi and Leoflede, 
daughter of Brithnod, the first abbot, when their son 
Ailwin, afterwards bishop of Elmham, was admitted 
into the monastery^ of Ely. It is well known that few 
towns excited any particular notice at the time of the 
conquest, when the greatest boroughs were scarcely 
more than country villages, the inhabitants living in 
entire dependance on the king or great lord. 

On reference to Domesday book, that spring and 
fountain of all chorography, the following notice of 
Wisbech will be there found : 


* Temp. Etheldred II. one of the Saxon princes, 
t Great part of this estate was assigned to the monks after Ely became 
a bishop’s see, and now belongs to the dean and chapter of Ely. The 
remainder, “ Wisbech Barton,” was annexed to the see, and is the 
paramount manor of the hundred. The annual value of this last manor 
was taken a. d. 1588, at X 142. 4s. 10 d. 

f Monasteries, in early times, were the chief schools where persons 
of quality, and others of both sexes, were usually bred up and educated 
in religion and learning. 


WISBECH. 


117 


Inter Recorda in Thesaurario Curiae receptee Scaccariij 
adservata, viz. in Libro vocat. Domesday, continetur ut 
sequitur: 

Grentebrscire. 

Terra Abbatie de Elyg, 

In Cestretone Hund. # 

M. Wisbece, tenr. abb. de Ely. Ibi x. hide tra. e. x. 
car. In dnio. 1 hida, 7 1 virg. 7 ibi su. 11 car. Ibi xv. 


* An alteration has taken place in the division of the hundreds since 
the survey of Domesday; Wisbech was then included in a hundred called 
Chesterton. 

Domesday book, according to Sir H. Spelman, if not the most ancient, 
is yet the most venerable monument of Great Britain, and contains an 
account of all the lands of England, except the four northern counties, 
Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, and part of Lan¬ 
cashire ; and describes the quantity and particular nature of them, whether 
meadow, pasture, arable, wood, or waste land. It mentions the rent and 
taxation, and records the several possessors of land, their number and distinct 
degrees. King Alfred, about the year 900, composed a book of the like nature, 
of which this was, in some measure, a copy. The exact time of William I. 
undertaking the survey is differently stated; but it appears to have been 
begun in 1080, and completed in 1086. The reason given for doing it was, 
that every man should be satisfied with his own right, and not usurp with 
impunity what belonged to another. By this also, William would be 
acquainted with an exact knowledge of the property of the crown, by the 
forfeitures of the lands of the English nobility who fell at the battle of 
Hastings ; and he was thus enabled to remunerate his Norman followers, by 
the grants of their immense confiscated estates. When it hath been 
necessary to distinguish whether lands were held in ancient demesne, or in 
what other manner, recourse hath always been had to Domesday book, and 
to that only, to determine the doubt. If lands were set down in that book 
under the title of “ Terra Regis,” or if it was said there, “ Rex habet ” 
such land or such a town, it was determined to be the king’s ancient demesne. 
If the land or town were therein set down under the name of a private lord 
or subject, then it was determined to have been, at the time of the survey, 
the land of such private person, and not ancient demesne. Indeed, its name 
is said to have been derived from its definitive authority, from which, as at 
the sentence pronounced at doomsday, or the day of judgment, there could 
be no appeal. This record is comprised in two volumes, one a folio, the 


118 


HISTORY OF 


villi, qsq. x. ac. 7 xiii. sochi de ii. hid. 7 dim. q. non 
potuer. nec poss. receder hi. oms. viii. car. Ibi. xvii. cot. 
7 ii. servi. De piscar. mill. 7 q’ngent. anguill. ptu. x. car. 
pasta, ad pec. villce. Int. tot. val. 7 valuit c. sol. T. R. E. 
vi. lib. hoc M. jacet 7 jacuit in dnio. eccle. In ead. 
villa ii. piscat. redd, abbi xiiii. mill, anguil. 7 de psent. 
xiii. sol. 7 iiii. den. Sup oms. hoes.huj. ville ht. abb. socam. 

Terra Sci. Eadmundi. 

In Wisbece ht. isd. abb. i. piscatore, redd. v. mil. anguill. 


other a quarto ; the first is written on three hundred and eighty-two double 
pages of vellum, in a small but plain character, each page having a double 
column. Some of the capital letters and principal passages are touched 
with red ink, and some have strokes of red ink run across them, as if 
scratched out, but the design was to mark such passages with more par- 
ticular notice : this volume contains the description of thirty-one counties ; 
towards the beginning of each county, there is a catalogue of the capital 
lords or great land-holders who possessed any thing in it, beginning with the 
king, and then naming the great lords according to their rank and dignity. 
The other volume is in quarto, written on four hundred and fifty double 
pages of vellum, but in a single column, and in a large but very fair character. 
It contains the counties of Essex, fo. 1, Norfolk, fo. 109, Suffolk, fo. 281 
to the end ; part of the county of Rutland is included in that of Northampton, 
and part of Lancashire in the counties of York and Chester. Until of late 
years, it has been kept under three different locks and keys ;—one in the 
custody of the treasurer, and the others of the two chamberlains of the 
exchequer.—It is now deposited in the Chapter-House at Westminster, 
where it may be consulted, on paying to the proper officer a fee of six and 
eightpence for a search, and fourpence per line for a transcript. Many 
parts of the ancient record have been printed in different county histories, 
and many more are to be found in public and private libraries. A catalogue 
of them is given in an account of Domesday book, written by Philip Carterett 
Webb, Esq. and published in 1756 by the Antiquarian Society. Another 
has been since published by Richard Gough, Esq. in his useful book, 
“ Anecdotes of British Topography,” ranged under the different counties. 
The whole was, in the year 1783, printed at the public expense, by order of 
his late majesty king George III. with types cut for that purpose, and a 
copy presented to each member of parliament. Extract from Preface to 
Grose’s Antiquities » 


WISBECH. 


119 


\ 


Terra Eccle. de Croiland, 

In Cestredone Hd. 

In Wisbece ht. abb. de Croilant iiii. piscat. redd. iiii. 
x. mill. anguill. 

Terra Eccle. de Ramesyg, 

In Norestor Hund. 

In Wisbece ht. abb. de Ramesi viii. piscatores, redd. v. 
mil. 7 cc. lx. anguill. 

Terra Willi, de Warene. 

In Wisbece ht. Wills, vi. piscatores in Hund. de Ely, 
reddtes. iii. mill, anguill. 7 dim. 7 v. sol. 


Copy and Translation from Domesday Book , in the 
Exchequer , which contains an account of all the Lands 
of England , taken by order of William L in 1080, 
and completed in 1086. 

Amongst the records kept in the treasury of the court 
of exchequer, viz. in the book called Domesday, is 
contained as follows: 

Cambridgeshire. 

Land of the abbot of Ely in Cestreton hundred. 
The abbot of Ely holds the manor of Wisbece. There 
are ten hides of land, ten caracutes or plough lands. 
In demesne, one hide and one yard land, and there 
are two plough lands.* There are fifteen villeins, f ten 

* A caracute of land at the survey was sixty acres; a hide, one hundred 
and twenty. The whole island was said to be divided into 243,600 hides. 
Some say that a caracute was the same measure applied to arable land, a3 
the hide to meadow land. 

t Villeins were bond servants bound to serve their proprietor. The 
slaves, or villeins, formed by far the most numerous rank in society, and 
were the absolute property of their lords, and incapable of possessing any 


120 


HISTORY OF 


of whom are to an acre; and thirteen socmen, # of 
two hides and an half, who cannot or are not able to 
remove from all their eight plough lands, There are 
seventeen cottages and two bondsmen. The fisheries 
produced 1,500 eels; ten plough lands of meadow 
pasture for the cattle of the town. In the whole it is 
and hath been valued at one hundred shillings; in the 
time of king Edward the Confessor at £ 6. this manor 
lies and hath lain in the demesne of the church. In 
the same town, two fisheries did render to the abbot 
14,000 eels, and at present doth render 13s, 4 d t The 
abbot hath soke over all the men of the town. 

Land of St. Edmund’s, 

In Wisbece the same abbot has one fishery, which 
renders 5,000 eels. 

Land of the church of Crowland, 

In Cestretone hundred. 

In Wisbece the abbot of Crowland hath four fisheries, 
rendering 14,000 eels. 


property themselves. Dr. Brady assures us, from a survey of Domesday 
book, that in all the counties of England, the far greater part of the land 
was occupied by them, and that the husbandmen, and still more the socmen, 
who were tenants not removable at pleasure, were very few in comparison. 
The perpetual wars in the heptarchy were probably the cause of this great 
number of vassals, for prisoners taken in war, or carried oif in the frequent 
inroads of the different petty princes, were reduced to slavery by right 
of war. 

* Socmen were yeomen free of blood and fit for honourable service; 
bordars were small farmers just above cottagers. 

t The pound here mentioned was the weight of a pound in silver, con¬ 
sisting of twelve ounces, which is equal in weight to £ 3. 2s. of our money. 
The shilling consisted of twelve pence, and equal in weight to three 
shillings of our money. By the laws of Athelstan, a sheep was valued at 
one shilling, or fifteen pence ; an ox computed at six times the value qf a 
sheep, and a cow at four. 


WISBECH. 


121 


Land of the church of Ramsey, 

In Norestor hundred. 

In Wisbece the abbot of Ramsey hath eight fisheries, 
which render 5,260 eels. 

Land of William de Warren. 

In W isbece William hath six fisheries in the hundred 
of Ely, rendering 3,000 eels and five shillings. 

This valuable document, with the preceding remarks, 
seems to establish the antiquity of the town of Wisbech, 
which, although it has heretofore laboured under many 
disadvantages, is now rapidly emerging from the 
obscurity with which it was once clouded, and by 
the .enterprising spirit prevailing in modern times, is 
become a place of extensive trade and commerce. The 
calamities by inundation, the diversion of the Ouse and 
Nene waters, and other causes consequent thereupon, 
would no doubt, for a considerable time, impair the 
consequence of Wisbech as a sea port. In latter times, 
an improved navigation has been obtained, by means 
pf the straight cut or river from Peterborough, b Y 
Smith’s Learn, to Guyhirn,* whereby a large portion 
of water is conveyed through Wisbech, to the outfall 
at Cross Keys Wash. This river, which is simply 
called “ the Great River/’ has become of considerable 
consequence for the purposes of navigation, forming 
a communication with the upland country, and sup¬ 
plying Peterborough, Oundle, Northampton, and other 
places, with various kinds of merchandize, such as coals, 
timber, &c.; it is also of such magnitude and depth, 
that at spring tides vessels of one hundred tons burthen, 


* See page 39. 


122 


HISTORY OF 


as before mentioned,* bring their full cargoes up to the 
quays. Wisbech is situated on both sides of the 
river, over which is a handsome stone bridge, with an 
elliptical arch of seventy-two feet span, and from the 
circumstance of the waters passing through the midst 
of the town, it has frequently been compared by strangers 
to some of the towns in Holland, with which it may 
vie in neatness and cleanliness. 

The tides come with great velocity up the river, and 
flow many miles beyond Wisbech. The resistance, by 
the influx of the tides meeting the ebb waters, is called 
the Hygre, or iEger,f which rushes in with considerable 
impetuosity about the time of either of the equinoxes. 
At every new and full moon, the spring tides flow about 
eight feet. The situation of the town, by a kind 
providence, is so placed as not to alarm the inhabitants 
with tempestuous waves, and yet so accommodated as 
to enjoy the delightful scene of this most desirable and 
useful flow of water, whilst the flux and reflux of the 
sea must undoubtedly contribute to the health of the 
inhabitants and the salubrity of the surrounding 
country. 

Wisbech gives name to a hundred and deanery. The 
parish is ten miles in length, and two or three miles 
broad, containing about 15,700 acres of land. The town 
has a corporate body, which enjoys certain municipal 
privileges, but possesses no magisterial jurisdiction. 
Edward VI. in the first year of his reign, granted the 


* See page 63. 

t iEger, in Runic, signifies the ocean. Johnson. 


WISBECH. 


123 


inhabitants a charter of incorporation, which was con¬ 
firmed by James I. and lastly by Charles II. of which, 
and of the mode of electing its annual officers, we shall 
speak hereafter more at large.* ** 

After the gift of the manor of Wisbech to the church 
of Etyyt* we meet with no further account thereof, until 
William the Conqueror erected the fortress there, which 
being a feature of the most memorable antiquity attached 
to the place, we shall proceed to give some account 
of this 

ANCIENT CASTLE. 

Grose, in his “ Antiquities of England,” remarks, 
that castles walled with stone, and designed for residence 
as well as defence, are for the most part of no higher 
antiquity than the conquest * for although the Saxons, 
Romans, and even the ancient Britons, had castles built 
with stone, yet they were few in number, and, through 
neglect, so much decayed, that little more than their 
ruins were remaining: this is assigned by many of our 
historians and antiquaries, as one of the reasons for the 
facility with which William made himself master of 
this country. 

By Domesday book it does not appear that any castle 
at that time existed at Wisbech, but William the 

* The origin of corporations is thus deduced in Maddox’s MSS. 
collections: “ The king committed a town to the townsmen themselves, 
“ at farm during his pleasure, instead of committing it to the hands of a 
«« provost or farmer ; they then obtained it in fee farm, that is, in perpetual 
“ farm, and afterwards prevailed on the king to grant their farm to their 
“ heirs; they lastly prevailed on him to make them a corporate body, and 
<« thus it was soon forgot that those towns had ever been holdea in demesne 

** by the king.” t A. D. 1000« p. 116* 


124 


HISTORY OF 


Conqueror, in the last year of his reign, erected a 
castle of stone, not only, as it was said, to curb the 
outlaws, who had made incursions from the fens 
into the uplands, but to keep the refractory English 
barons in check.* At the time of the erection of the 
castle,t the waters of the Ouse passing by Well emptied 
themselves into the north sea beyond Wisbech, running 
at a very short distance from the castle walls, and the 
exact spot of the building has been by Camden and 
other authors shewn to be where the late castle (taken 
down in 1816) stood; the site whereof now forms the 
space or garden, surrounded by a low brick wall, in the 
centre of that part of the town called the Crescent. 
Many proprietors of land in West Walton, a village in 
Norfolk, about three miles distant, were obliged by their 
tenure to repair the walls and ditch or moat of the 
castle. The governor w r as dignified by the title of 
constable, and had a guard of soldiers. The building, 
which covered two acres of land, stood in the midst 
of other four acres, at the boundary of which was a 
strong high wall, and on the outside next the town was 
a ditch or moat forty feet wide, and there was no way 
to the castle but by a drawbridge in the west front. 
This castle was more than once in a state of siege, 
through the rebellious spirit of certain lay lords and 

* See page 97. 

t In the Gentleman’s Magazine of 1774, p. 313, is the following 
observation on the antiquity of Wisbech castle. “ Wisbech castle, ac- 
“ cording to historians, was built by William the Conqueror for a check to 
“ the malecontents of the isle of Ely, over which castle he appointed a 
“ constable, with a garrison of soldiers under him, for he found it exceeding 
“ difficult to dislodge them out of the fens ; upon which they built a castle 
“ of turf over against it, from which they had frequent skirmishes.” The 
situation of the castles of the Anglo-Norman kings was most commonly 
near a river. 






WISBECH. 


125 


others who were opposed to the king; and for the better 
and more secretly conveying of intelligence at those 
times between the garrison and their friends, who were on 
the outside of the ditch or moat, (no one being admitted) 
lead pipes * were laid within the walls under ground, 
and under the walls and ditch to the outside, next a 
way called Headman’s Lane,F and by the said pipes 
being branched out to all parts of the basement story 
of the building, the sound of speech is said to have 
been conveyed either to or from the garrison. 

A document from the muniment office of the lord 
bishop of Ely records that in 1236, not only the town 
of Wisbech, but the castle also, was utterly destroyed 
by a violent inundation of the sea. A very short time, 
however, restored the castle, for we meet with the name 
of a constable or keeper thereof in 1246, and at this 
early period it seems to have been a place of custody 
for state prisoners. Stevenson, in his Appendix to 
Bentham’s Ely, states that in 1297, John de Dromore, 
of Scotland, was a prisoner in this castle, and was 
manumised on condition that he should go to king 
Edward, then beyond sea, and serve him faithfully 
against the king of France. 

In the reign of Henry II. this fortress was dismantled. 
In the year 1312, (6th Edward II.) the custody of the 


* On digging up the foundation of the castle premises, such pipes or 
tubes were found in the lower part thereof, about three inches diameter, 
extending to the moat from the four quarters of the building, as related to 
the compiler by the present possessor of the premises. 

t The lane called Deadman’s Lane, leading direct from the eastern 
abutment of the bridge to the church, may be presumed to have been the 
general road or way by which, in former times, funerals were carried to the 
church, and thence obtained its name of Deadman’s Way or Lane. 


126 


HISTORY OF 


isle of Ely was granted to John de Ketene r then 
bishop of Ely : the castle is not mentioned, but the 
safe custody of the island is granted in general words, 
viz. “ Securam Custodiam Insulae.” Also, in 1314, 
Robert Wishart, bishop of Glasgow, and the wife of 
Robert Brus, were here confined as prisoners, and con¬ 
ducted from hence to York. 

In 1404, the keeper of the arms was paid threepence 
per day, and about this time the walls were re-built with 
ragstone, and a new bridge erected. 

In 1405, the draw-bridge occurs, and in making a sewer 
a few years since for the houses in Yorke Row, standing 
upon part of the old castle premises, the workmen found 
an old stone foundation, which was supposed to be the 
base of the draw-bridge. # In 1409, new flood-gates, 
which cost £30. 3s. and a new water-gate, were erected. 
A gate also is mentioned by Dugdale,f on the south¬ 
east side, next to Elm. In 1410, a new “ Pons tracta- 
“ bilis ” was formed, leading towards the church, and 
it seems there was a chapel within and a bridge without 
the castle. There were likewise a dove-house and a 
garden within the castle walls, the former was totally 
destroyed in 1513. In 1414, Dominus Heyle, and several 
prisoners taken by the earl of Dorchester, were kept in 
this prison by permission of bishop Fordham, and in 
1476 the prison was repaired. The castle having grown 

* In digging a sewer from the castle premises, since they were sold 
by the see of Ely, several earthen pipes were found similar to those at 
Walpole, (p. 11.) The pipes were made of palish red earth, which grew 
hard again upon being exposed some time to the air; the length of them 
was about twenty inches, and the bore three inches and three quarters. 

t Page 314.—In the year 1 372. 


WISBECH. 


127 


out of repair by age, bishop Morton, between the years 
1478 and 1483, erected another of brick on the site 
of that of the Conqueror, and that prelate, as well as 
several of his successors, usually resided there during 
a part of the year, and it became from that period a 
palace of the bishops of Ely. In the year 1500, 
Alcock, bishop of Ely, who succeeded bishop Morton, 
and was founder of Jesus College, Cambridge, died at 
his castle here.* In queen Elizabeth’s reign, the castle 
was made a prison for priests and jesuits; this appro¬ 
priation is presumed to have occurred between 1579 and 
1599, as the see was then vacant for twenty years, and 
the temporalities were in the possession of the crown, 
“ ratione sedis vacantis.” In Collier’s Ecclesiastical 
History of Great Britain, in the time of archbishop 
Whitgift,t it is stated that the priests and religious 
confined in Wisbech castle came to an open rupture, on 
account of one father Weston, a jesuit, who pretended to 
make orders, and set up for governor over all the rest; the 
majority of the seculars, however, refused to admit this 
assumption, and alleged that this post had been offered 
to Watson, bishop of Lincoln, who died prisoner in the 
castle, and that he refused this governing distinction as 
unsuitable to their then circumstances, from affliction 
and confinement. At this time, a Roman catholic priest 
of character came to Wisbech, to whom the difference 
being referred, he decided the question against the 
jesuits. 


* Willis, in his History of Cathedrals, observes, that “ bishop Alcock 
“ bestowed great costs on his house at Hatfield, and also at Wisbech 
“ castle, which he re-built of brick. ’ 

t Vol. ii. book vii. p. 643:—published in 1714. 


128 


HISTORY OF 


The design of that horrible attempt against the 
protestant cause (the gunpowder plot) is said in Aikin’s 
Memoirs of James I. to have originated with Robert 
Catesby, a gentleman of fortune and consequence, as 
far back as 1588; his influence, his talents, and above 
all his zeal, had rendered him an object of suspicion 
to the government of Elizabeth, and he was one of 
those whom it was judged expedient, on the approach 
of the armada, to commit to safe custody in Wisbech 
castle. Francis Tresham, also a gentleman of family 
and fortune, supposed to have been an early depositary 
of this portentous secret, was fellow-prisoner of Catesby 
at Wisbech in the year 1608. 

That it was considered as a place of custody for state 
prisoners, is shewn by the fact that the following 
dignitaries, who were under a charge of conspiracy 
against the government of the queen, died there, and 
are said to be all buried in Wisbech church, viz. Thomas 
Whyte, bishop of Lincoln, in 1584; John Freckingham, 
the last abbot of Westminster, in 1585 ; # and Thomas 
Watson, bishop of Lincoln, in 1587.f 

Dr. Lancelot Andrews, who was bishop of Ely 
between 1609 and 1619, and concerned in the new 
translation of the Bible, laid out about £ 2,000. in 
repairing Wisbech castle and other residences.^ 


* Freckingham was sent to convert lady Jane Grey to popery. He 
was chaplain to bishop Bonner. Walpole, 
t Supplement to Bentham’s Ely. 

t This excellent prelate was successively bishop of Chichester, Ely, 
and Westminster, and all on account of his worth, without any ambitious 
suit or seeking of his own to qualify him for preferment; his life was 


WISBECH. 


129 


The office of constable or keeper of the castle appears 
to have been always conferred upon a person of dis¬ 
tinction, who had his deputy, and held courts leet, 
baron, and hundred courts. The courts of oyer and 
terminer for the isle were held in the moat-hall there, 
and public meetings of importance were at times held 
there, such as commissions of sewers. # In 1414, the 
constable’s fee was £ 26. Is. 8 d.; his dwelling was a 
hall of freestone, near the gates of the castle. In one 
patent, (1443) the house and chambers called “ Le 
“ Dungeon” T are allotted to the constable, who was 
amenable for the safety of the prisoners committed to 
the gaoh 


orderly, innocent, industrious, and pious ; from his childhood he was a 
great orientalist, and thoroughly acquainted with the fathers and other 
antiquities of the Christian church. He is said to have had especial skill 
in at least fifteen learned and modern tongues, and his knowledge in ancient 
languages was extensive, which qualified him for being one of the translators 
of the Bible in the reign of James I.; he was also a singular benefactor to 
the preferment he enjoyed, either by securing or increasing the revenue, or 
in building, repairing, and beautifying the houses and palaces committed to 
his care v He Was a most exemplary person—had the mien and air of a 
primitive bishop, and was no less commendable in his life than in his 
learning. The able and excellent dean Stanhope presented the public with 
a translation of the devotions of the good bishop Andrews. They were 
composed in Greek and Latin, for his own private daily use, and, as a 
manual of devotion, will recommend themselves by their usefulness and 
importance. The manuscript was scarcely ever out of his hands; it 
was found worn in pieces by his fingers, and wet with his tears. A new 
edition of the dean’s translation has been lately published, and is strongly 
recommended for perusal. 

* Dugdale, p. 308. a. d. 1338. 

t The great tower was the residence of the constable or governor; 
under ground were dismal dark vaults for the confinement of prisoners, 
which made this tower sometimes be called the keep or dungeon. In this 
building was the great hall, in which the owner displayed his hospitality by 
entertaining his numerous friends and followers. 

X 


130 


HISTORY OF 


The Names of the following Constables appear on Record. 

1246 William Justice. 

1262 Simon de Dullingham. 

1308 Richard de Halstead. 

1401 Thomas de Bramstone.* 

1403 Sir John de Rochford. 

1410 Sir John de Colvile. 

1446 Sir Andrew Hoggard or Ogard-t 

1476 Sir Thomas Grey. 

1489 Sir Thomas Hobard. 

1525 Walter and Miles Hubbard. 

1531 Thomas Megges, Arm. 

Sir Richard Cromwell. 

1605 William Chester, sen. Esq. 

1633 Matthias Taylor, Esq. 

The bishops of Ely used to make the castle their 
residence during their stay at Wisbech, and it was the 
custom of the corporation to make a provision for the 
bishop during his continuance ; and so late as the year 
1668, the town-bailiff was ordered to buy an ox, one 
wether sheep, and one calf, to be brought into the 
castle for provision for my lord of Ely, and subsequently 
a buck was ordered to be sent from Exton Park, to 
present one half to the bishop of Ely. 

There is no account when the moat or ditch was filled 
up, but it is presumed to have been done previously 
to the erecting of the building by Thurloe. J When the 


* See this name among the ancient monuments in “ the Church.” 
t See title,—“ Hagbech Hall.” 

t In 1583, the castle dyke is alluded to in the description of the wards 
of the town, as being then open, but no further notice is thereafter taken of it. 


WISBECH. 


131 


possessions of the church were sold, Thurloe, afterwards 
secretary to Oliver Cromwell, purchased the castle, and 
erected the fabric recently taken down, which is said to 
have been after a design of Inigo Jones, upon a model 
of the lord Chief Justice Oliver St. John’s seat, at 
Long Thorpe, near Peterborough.* In the castle used 
to be a painting, in which is a view of this seat, with 
Mr. Thurloe walking up the steps, and his wife looking 
out of a window.*!* 

On the restoration, the castle reverted to the see of 
Ely, but it does not appear to have been ever afterwards 
an episcopal residence, and the bishops of the diocese 
generally granted it on lease to one of the principal 
families in Wisbech ,* the Southwells, in particular, had 
separate grants thereof for five several terms of twenty- 
one years, (making altogether one hundred and five 
years) in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the 
last of whom was Edward Southwell, Esq. In 1793, 
an act of parliament was passed, intitled, “ An Act to 
“ enable the Lord Bishop of Ely to sell the Castle of 
“ Wisbech Saint Peter’s, in the Isle of Ely, in the 
“ County of Cambridge, and the Garden and Appurte- 
“ nances thereto belonging; and for applying the Money 


* He is said not only to have erected the building for himself, but 
likewise some houses for his sons near it. Gent's. Mag. 1774, p. 332. 

t This painting was removed to the palace at Ely. Jonathan 
Peckpver, Esq. of Wisbech, a great encourager of the polite arts, was 
at the expense of causing an engraving of this building to be made, which 
appears in Stevenson’s Appendix to Bentham’s Ely. No representation 
has been preserved of the ancient building by William the Conqueror, or 
of that of bishop Morton. 

I 2 


I 


HISTORY OF 


132 


“ to arise from such sale in manner therein mentioned. ,r 
By this act, after reciting that the lord bishop 
was, in right of his see of Ely, seized of a certain 
ancient mansion called the Castle, in Wisbech Saint 
Peter’s, with the site, gardens, buildings, and appur¬ 
tenances thereto belonging, the whole containing, by 
estimation, five acres; and that as the town of Wisbech 
was improving, and like to increase in its trade and 
populousness, it was supposed that many persons would 
be willing to purchase the fee simple of the said ground 
and premises, at an advantageous price; and that if 
power was given for that purpose, and for investing 
the monies thence arising in the purchase of other 
estates, and to the same use; it would not only be for 
convenience of the town, where buildings were wanted, 
but to the improvement of the revenues of the see:— 
therefore the lord bishop was empowered to sell the 
said castle and premises, and the monies arising by 
such sale were directed to be laid out in the purchase 
of other lands, Sec. within the diocese of Ely. In the 
year 1793, the entire premises were put up for sale 
by auction in London, in five lots, and Mr. Joseph 
Med worth, a native of Wisbech, but who then resided 
at Bermondsey, in Surry, became the purchaser of 
the castle, with the gardens and ground belonging 
thereto, for £1,945. and £300. more for the materials. 
Mr. Medworth immediately removed all the detached 
offices, parcelling out the ground for building, and 
commenced the erection of several new and handsome 
houses in the form of a crescent, according to a design 
which he had previously drawn. He also purchased 
of Mr. John Powell a dwelling house and premises, at 
a great price, for the purpose of a more easy comm uni- 


WISBECH. 


133 


cation with the market-place, thereby forming a street 
from the castle premises into the heart of the town.* 
The crescent is now extended into a circus, which is 
completed, and consists of more than fifty houses, 
thereby adding much to the pleasantness and beauty of 
the town. Mr. Medworth may be said to be one of 
the greatest contributors in modem times towards the 
general improvement of the place, having expended 
several very considerable sums of money in erecting 
houses of such description as to invite respectable 
families to become residents there. After disposing 
of the surrounding ground for the purpose of building, 
Mr. Medworth retained the residue (consisting of the 
castle itself, with the inclosed garden) in his own 
possession and occupation, and in the year 1811, offered 
such reserved portion to the corporation of Wisbech on 
very moderate terms.f The object was, that as the 
grammar school house on the north-east side of Ship 
Street was greatly in decay, the castle might be appro¬ 
priated for the residence of the master, and for the 
school; that the old ruinous buildings then used for those 
purposes might be pulled down, and the open space thus 
formed converted into a public street, to communicate 
directly across the old horse-fair and canal, with the Lynn 
road, thus avoiding the abrupt and dangerous turn at the 
end of Ship Lane or Ship Street by the Bell inn, and 


* A stone affixed in the front of one of the houses at the opening of 
market-street thus records this transaction :—“ The entrance to this street 
from the market-place is the freehold property of Mr. Joseph Medworth, 
“ of Bermondsey, purchased by him at X tor the accommodation of 
the town of Wisbech, a. d. 1793.” 

t The price was X 2,000.;—one moiety to be paid down, and the 
other moiety to be secured by the bond of the corporation at interest for 
twenty years. 


134 


HISTORY OF 


forming a handsome approach into Wisbech by a street 
leading from the Lynn road in a direct line to the 
market-place. The capital burgesses of that day, how¬ 
ever, disapproved of the plan, being fearful of not having 
sufficient pecuniary means to purchase the castle, and 
carry into effect the improvements expected to be con¬ 
sequent thereupon. Their rejection of it was, never¬ 
theless, much to the regret of many individuals, who 
wished the real welfare and improvement of the town; 
as, if that design had been adopted, the castle built by 
secretary Thurloe would then have remained standing, 
and continued to be one of the handsomest ornaments of 
this improving place. After the corporation came to 
this decision, Mr. Medworth, considering the fabric too 
large for his own private occupation, took it down, and 
erected a modern house on a different part of the 
garden and ground, fronting the west entrance into the 
church-yard, which he still denominates the castle, and 
now occupies. Sir Charles Henry Colvile, of Duffield 
Hall, in Derbyshire, a lineal descendant of Sir John 
Colvile, the governor of the castle in 1410, # has a seal 
of copper in his family, which is generally understood 
to have been the official seal of Wisbech castle, f 

Transactions relative to the Town of Wisbech. 

A.d. One of the earliest occurrences on record, subsequent 

1190. to the erection of the castle, is the notice bestowed on 
the town by king Richard I. in the second year of his 
reign, who was pleased to grant to the tenants of 


* See page 130. 

t An engraving of this seal has been taken from an impression furnished 
to the compiler by Sir Charles Colvile. 


















































































































































































































































































WISBECH. 


135 


Wisbech Barton manor a freedom or exemption from 
toll in all fairs or markets throughout England, which a.d. 
grant was afterwards confirmed by king John; and when 1214. 
this latter monarch wns driven to extremity by his 
barons, who had offered to acknowledge Louis, eldest son 
of Philip of France, for their sovereign, he seems to have 
been flying from one place of defence to another for 
refuge, for more than four months in which period we 
hear of him at Winchester, Hereford, Gloucester, Oxford, 
Cambridge, Lynn, Wisbech, &c. Most of the quarters 
where the king took refuge were places of strength, 
and had their castles. At this time, the inhabitants of 
Lynn, which ranked high among the trading towns of 
the kingdom, espoused that monarch’s cause to the 
utmost of their ability, and manifested their zeal, not 
only by raising recruits for his army, but by furnishing 
sailors and ships for naval operations ; and whilst there, 
he granted to the townsmen various privileges and 
immunities, raising them to be a free burgh, with a 
charter of incorporation.* On his departure from Lynn 
on the 12th October 1216, the king came to Wisbech, 1216. 
as Dr. Brady proves from original records in the tower, 
and in all probability took up his residence at the castle 
there, as a place of defence. There is no solid mark 
of this monarch’s residence at Wisbech, except that he 


* King John, notwithstanding all the faults which, it is to be feared, 
are too justly charged upon him, had some right notions for the advancement 
and prosperity of the towns and people : he erected demesne towns into 
free hurglis, which prepared the way for the gradual diffusion of commerce 
through his dominions. Instead of king’s collectors levying sundry tolls 
and taxes, there was now only one annual sum paid, which was called “ the 
“ Fee Farm Rent ” of each respective burgh. Before his time, the crown 
had appointed a chief officer, who raised several taxes in an arbitrary way. 
King John gave the townsmen the privilege of electing their chief officer 
annually out of their own body. 


136 


HISTORY OF 


might furnish the means of erecting certain almshouses, 
there being buildings of that denomination, called by 
many “ King John’s Almshouses,” situate on the north 
side of the church-yard ; but this is a very doubtful 
matter, and even if they were erected from his donation 
when at Wisbech, they certainly have been re-built, 
not bearing the least mark of antiquity about them. 
The king was at this time assembling a considerable 
army, with a view of fighting a great battle, and thus 
striking a decisive blow; but after leaving Wisbech, he 
took the road across the washes, which he attempted 
to pass at an improper time, when he lost, by the flow 
of the sea, all his carriages, treasures, baggage, and 
regalia.* The affliction of this disaster, and vexation 
from the distracted state of his affairs, no doubt helped 
to increase the sickness under which he was then 
labouring; nevertheless, he proceeded onward, and took 
up his abode at Swineshead abbey, in Lincolnshire, 
and on the 15th of October arrived at Sleaford, but 
when he reached the castle of Newark on the 18th, 
he was obliged to halt, soon after which his distemper 


* Matthew Paris, who died in 1259, makes king John loso his baggage 
jn crossing the river Nene. He says, “ Veniens autem per Burgum et 
“ Croilandiam, ipsam ecclesiam depr®datus est, deinde per maneria 
i( abbatis de Croiland transiens, omnes segetes ejus sicut erant, in fine 
“ autumni, congest® in favillas redegit. Novissime per urbem que Len 
appellatur transitum faciens, ab urbanis cum gaudio susceptus est, et 
“ magnis donariis honoratus. Deinde versus aquilonem iter arripiens, 
“ in fluvio qui Welle Stream dicitur, carretas omnes, vigas et summarios 
“ cum thesauris vasis pretiosis et regalibus omnibus, quae propensiori 
“ cura dilexit, inopinato eventu amisit. Aperta est enim in mediis 
“ fluctibus, terra et voraginis abyssus quae absorbuerunt universa, cum 
“ hominibus et equis ita quo’m nec pes unus evasit, qui regi casum 
“ nunciaret.” There is a house at some distance below Sutton Washway 
which still bears the name of “ King John’s House,” and tradition says he 
crossed there. See also a place called King’s Creek, p. 60. (Note.) 


WISBECH. 


137 


put an end to his life, in the forty-ninth year of his 
age and eighteenth of his reign, and thus freed the 
nation from the dangers to which it was equally exposed 
by his success and by his misfortunes. 

About twenty years after this period, a very lamentable a.d. 
disaster befel the town of Wisbech, by a most violent 1236. 
storm and tempest causing an inundation of the sea, 
which carried all before it, and laid the town and country 
many miles around it under water. Holinshed, in his 
chronicles, thus notices it: “ About this time, (21st 
“ Henry III.) many wonderful strange lights were seen 
(< in different parts of England, afterwards followed 
“ by great tempests of rain, and on the morrow after 
“ the feast of St. Martin, and certain days after, the 
“ sea burst out, with such tides and tempests of wind, 

“ that the marish countries neare to the same were 
“ drowned and overflowen, beside great heards and 
“ flocks of cattel that perished. The sea rose con- 
“ tinually in flowing the space of two days and one 
u night without ebbing, by reason of the mighty 

violence of contrarie winds. At Wisbech also, and 
“ in villages thereabouts, the people were drowned in 
“ great numbers, so that in one village there were 
“ buried one hundred corpses in one day. Also, the day 
“ before Christmas eve, there chanced a great wind, 
u with thunder and rain in such extream, that many 
“ buildings were shaken and overthrown.”* 

* Holinshed, vol. iii. p. 220. Matthew of Westminster also makes the 
following remark on the same storm : “ In crastino vero beati Martini et 
“ per octaras ipsius, vento validissimo, associato tumultu quasi tonitruo, 

“ mundaverunt ductus maris metas solidas, transeuntes ita quod in confusio 
“ ipsius maris, et in marisco utpote apud Wisebeche, et locis consimilibus 
*< naviculae pecora necnon et kominum maxime periit multitude.’’ 


138 


HISTORY OF 


A storm of such description must have been attended 
with calamitous consequences, not only to individual 
and private property in the neighbourhood, but to the 
defences and embankments of the country. Neither 
was this the only misfortune experienced by the town 
of Wisbech from inundation, as the extract from the 
muniment office of the lord bishop of Ely, before 
a.d. referred to, # states that thirty years after, “ the 
1266. “ town of Wisbech and castle were utterly destroyed ” 
by a violent inundation of the sea. From such devas¬ 
tating effects, it would probably be a considerable time 
before the town would recover itself. It appears, 
however, from Dugdale, that excessive pains were taken 
and vast expenses laid out in preserving the country 
from utter drowning, and in the recovery of the districts 
suffering by these disasters. 

1327. In 1st Edward III. John Hotham, bishop of Ely, 
obtained a charter for a fair at Wisbech, to be holden 
for twenty successive days, to begin on Trinity eve, 
A few years after, we read of an hospital at Wisbech, 
dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the mastership of 
which was in the gift of the bishop of Ely.f Whether 
the almshouses said to be king John’s were erected on 
the decline of this hospital, and thence took their name, 

* See page 125. 

t “ Regist. Episc. Elien. Rex concessit Johanni Francies in feodo 
“ certa mess. terr. in Wisbich, nuper amortizat Hospitalis ibidem, per 
“ servitia debita.” And the following masters of this hospital are recorded : 

1234 John de Lenna. 

1243 John de Weston. 

1259 Rad de Islingburgh. 

1350 Rad de Ringslade. 

1352 Edward Engeho. 


Cole MSS. Brit, Mus • 


WISBECH. 


139 


which in progress of time were called King John’s, 
cannot now be ascertained, nor is the site of the hospital 
known, or the time when it was abolished. 

The country seemed earnest in using every diligence a.d. 
for the reparation of their banks from time to time, 1378. 
particularly between Wysbeche, Elme, and Welle and 
amongst various other orders, there is one made for 
constructing a bank for the better safeguard of Elm 
and Wisbech, viz. from the stone cross,f near the house 
of lepers, into the town of Wisbech, and thence to the 
river of Wisbech directly to Guggishurne or Griggis- 
hurne. 

The following year (2d Richard II.) is an important 1379. 
sera in the annals of Wisbech, inasmuch as at this 
period the Guild of the Holy Trinity was founded, 
which afterwards led to the incorporation of the town. 
Guilds, or social confederations, were adopted by the 
Anglo-Saxons; the obj ects of their union appears to 
have been, that every hearth or family should, at 
Easter in every year, pay one penny; and on the 
death of any member of the guild, one penny, whether 
man or woman, for the soul’s scot. It seems somewhat 
to have resembled our benefit societies, in which the 
members make small stated payments, and are buried 


* Dugdale, p. 306, &c. 

t Crosses were formerly erected for various purposes, to determine the 
boundaries of property, especially of religious houses, such as the cross of 
St. Guthlac, between Spalding and Crowland; others were raised to depre¬ 
cate the judgment of the Almighty, through the prayers of the devout, &c. 
This cross was situated where the stone is now fixed, as the division 
between the parishes of Wisbech and Elm, on the south side of the canal, 
usually known as Spital Cross. 


140 


HISTORY OF 


at the expense of the fund; others were for God’s love 
and their soul’s need, holding meetings three times a 
year. Mass priests were appointed to sing a mass for 
their living friends, and another for their dead friends, 
and every brother two psalms. At the death of every 
member, six psalms were to be chaunted, and every 
man to pay five pennies: in the mercantile towns and 
seaports, there were also guilds or fraternities of men 
for carrying on commerce. Domesday book mentions 
the Gi-halla, or Guildhall, of the burghers of Dover; 
on other occasions, they were in the nature of friendly 
associations, made for mutual aid and contribution, to 
meet the pecuniary exigencies which were perpetually 
arising from burials, legal exactions, penal mulcts, and 
other payments or compensations. That much good 
fellowship was connected with them, can be doubted 
by no one ; the fines of their imposition imply that the 
materials of conviviality were not forgotten.*' 

Many religious guilds and fraternities were established 
in divers parts of the kingdom, though it is not shewn 
that they received at first any authority from the 
government to enable them to form such establishment. 
The head or chief person of the guild was stiled the 
Alderman, and was chosen by the commonalty of the 
town. The Wisbech guild was of a religious description, 
dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and called by the name 
of “The Guild or Fraternity of the Holy 
“ Trinity in Wysbech.” A certain regularity was 
preserved in the proceedings of the guild then formed 
in the town, whereof a register was kept, and which is 
now filed amongst the records of the corporation. 


* Turner's Anglo-Saxons. 


WISBECH. 


141 


The affairs of this community were directed by a 
number of persons, consisting sometimes of twelve, and 
from that number to eighteen, who assembled once 
a year at the time of the feast of the Holy Trinity, 
and were called “ an Inquisition,” at other times “ an 
u Inquest,” or “ a Jury,” by whom the alderman and 
other officers of the guild were elected : at first only 
six officers were elected, viz. 

An Alderman, 

Two officers called Scabini,* 

A Clerk, 

A Dean,4* 

An Hostiliarius.J 

By way of specimen of the terms and method in 
which the accounts of this fraternity were kept, the 
first entry is deciphered verbatim from the original, 
followed by a translation, as attempted by the compiler. 

2 d Richard II. A.D. 1379.- Memorandum qd. hie 

incipit Liber Compotor . Fraternit . see. Trinitatis. 

Compotus Ade Reynald Capelli, Simonis Pokedych, a.d. 
Ade Mareys, Gilbti Grouet, Scabinor Gilde see Trini- 1379. 


* Scabini, Scavini, or Skyvens, were the guardians, governors, or 
stewards, and had the charge of the goods and effects of the guild. They 
were two, and sometimes four in number; seniors going off yearly, when 
two others were chosen. They were sworn, when they received the chattels 
of the house, to employ the same faithfully to the good of the guild. 

t In 1460, he is called ** Decanum Ecclesiae.” In 1513, he is ordered 
to warn the alderman and brethren to bring in their books, accounts, &c. 
In 1537, he is ordered to give monition to the inquest to have the accounts 
ready at the election. 

t A sort of steward of the hall to assist in entertaining strangers. 



142 


HISTORY OF 


tatis de Wysbech, a die dnica. in fo. see Trinitatis, 
anno Ri. Ricardi sedi a Conqu. ii. usq. eund 
die dnicam anno Ri. Ricardi sedi iii. p« un. ann. 
integru. Imprimis, denar recept ad capellan. Idem 
R. de £ iiii. 5s. 8 d. re de Fratrib pdee Fraternitat a 
fo Sci. Michael, a Ri. Ricardi, sedi iij - usq. dem. Fm. 
Sci. Michael px. seqns pt. denar q. erunt recept de x. 
nov adventiciis per ttio. Nativitat Sci. John Bapte px. 
sequt:—Sm. <£ 4. 9s, Idem. R. de 26s. 8 d. recept de 
64 Frator pdee. Fraternitat per imag see Trinitat 
emend:—Sm. 26s. 8c?. Idem re de 46s. 8 d. recept de 14 
nov adventiciis, videlt. de Johe Tyd, Johne Austyn, 
senr. Johne Hillary, Willo. Fyscher, Johne Austyn, 
junr. Johne Curteys, Martino Mylys, Johne Barbour, 
Ricardo Barbour, Johne Cuckope, Pet Hurry, Pet Veck, 
Henrico Barker, and Willo. Dunhm. de quolibet eor. 
3s. 4 d. : —Sm. 46s. 8 d. Idem re de Ills. 8 d. recept 
de 67 Fratrib. pdee. Fratern. videlt. de quolib. eor. 
20 d.: —Sm. Ills. 8 d. Sm. total £ 13. 14s. 

Expens. —Imprimis, Coputant solut Dno. Ade Reynald 
capello celebut p. pdea Fratern. per ann. integru videlt. 
a fo. Sci. Michael ultio, pttio. usq. dcm. Fm. px. seqns. 
£ 4. 6s. 8c?.:—Suma £ 4. 6s. 8 d. Idem coput in un 
imag See Trinitat empt. 25s. 3c?. Et solut cementar, 
8s. Et solut 1 ho. auxil. pdcos. cementar per 1 die 4c?. 
Et solut Johi Kyngsper per le Parclos removend cu 
meremec, et bordis, et clavis ferrei ad idm. et cerevisa 
dat opar, 3s 2\d. Et dat Johi Flaxman, per labore suo 
usq. Walpole per carriag tabnacli, 6c?. in sabal et> 
calcer empt. 12 d.: —Sm. 38s. 3| d. Idem coput in 2 
peciis panni lanei, empt. apd. London, p. capit Fratru 
pdee. Fraternitat cu carriag a London usq. Wysbech, 
106s. 8c?.:—Sm. 106s. 8c?. Idem coput in pane empt. 


WISBECH. 


143 


3s. 6d. In cvicia ep. 16s. 6d .; in vino 2s. l\d. ; in 
carnib bovm emptr. 3s. ; in croco lc?.; in ovis 4 d; in 
1 qrt. verjious 2d. ; in orpis 3d.; in caseo 13d. In 
cvisia expend cca. ornacoe auli 4d .; in stipend coci 6d ; 
in rwardo Frat. Lenn per eor. cura et labore 6s. 8d .; in 
5 mynstrals 10s. In expens Nicholi Tyneteshall usq. 

Lenn, per apparatu de dansrs. empt. 5s. 8d. In clavis 
ferrei empt. per ornacoe auli 6d.; et dat Robto. fil. 

Thoe. per aula et ornacoe eid. 3s. 4d.; et dat Johi 
Symond, per 1 hoe. suspens sepeliend 8d. ; et solut per 
tabnaclo in pte. solucois 10s. ; in papyro empt per 
coput ob.:—Sm. £ 3. 6s. 4d. 

Sm. omn. expens, <£14. 17s. 10|d. et sic expens ex- 
cedint recept 23s. lO^d. q. debent solvi. per 67 Fratres, 
videlt. quilib. eor. ad 5d. et sic reman 23|d. qs. pdci. 

Fres. in vino, expend anteqm. recednt, et sic de copoto 
nichil remanet. Amen. 

Memorandum that here begins the Book of the 

Accountants of the Brotherhood of the Holy Trinity, 

The account of Adam Reynald, the chaplain, Simon a.d. 
Pokedych, Adam Mareys, Gilbert Grout, the skyvens* 1379. 
of the Guild of the Holy Trinity of Wysbech, from 
Sunday on the feast of the Holy Trinity, in the 2d 
year of king Richard II. after the conquest, to the same 
Sunday in the 3d year of king Richard II. for one 
whole year: Imprimis, in a tenth received for the 
chaplain. Also in the sum of £4. 5s. 8 d. received of 
the brotherhood of the said fraternity, from the feast 
of Saint Michael, in the third year of the reign of 


* See page 141. 


144 


HISTORY OF 


Richard II. to the feast of Saint Michael next following', 
except the pence which were received of ten novices, 
for the third time from the nativity of Saint John the 
Baptist next following: — Sum, £ 4. 9s. Also in the 
sum of 26s. 8d. received of sixty-four brethren of the 
said fraternity, for the purchase of an image of the 
Holy Trinity :—Sum, £1. 6s. 8 d. Also in the sum of 
46s. 8 d. received of fourteen novices, viz. John Tyd, 
John Austin, senior, John Hillary, William Fyscher, 
John Austyn, junior, John Curteys, Martin Mylys, 
John Barbour, Richard Barbour, John Cuckope, Peter 
Hurry, Peter Veck, Henry Barker, and William Dunham, 
of each of them 3s. 4 cl.: —Sum, £ 2. 6s. 8 d. Also in 
the sum of £5. 11s. 8c?. received of sixty-seven brethren 
of the aforesaid fraternity, viz. of each of them 20c?. :— 
Sum, £5. 11s. 8 d. Total sum, £13. 14s. 

Expended .—First, they account in a payment made 
to Mr. Adam Reynald, the officiating chaplain of the 
said fraternity, for one whole year, viz. from the feast 
of Saint Michael last past, to the said feast next fol¬ 
lowing, £4. 6s. 8 d. : — Sum, £4. 6s. 8 d. Also they 
reckon for the purchase of one image of the Holy 
Trinity, 25s. 3d. And they paid to the plaisterers 8s. ; 
and for one man’s assistance for the said plaisterers for 
one day, 4 d. ; and they paid to John Kyngsper for the 
removal of Parclos , with timber and boards and iron 
nails for the same, and for beer given to the workmen, 
3s. 2 id .; and they gave to John Flaxman for his labour 
to Walpole for carriage of the tent, 6d.; for sand and 
whitening bought, 12c?.: — Sum, £1. 18s. 31c?. Also 
they reckon for two pieces of woollen cloth bought in 
London, for hoods for the brethren of the said fraternity, 
with the carriage from London to Wisbech, £5. 6s. 8c?.:— 


WISBECH. 


145 


Sum, £5i 6s. 8 d. Also they reckon for bread bought 
35. 6d. ; for beer bought I 65 . 6d. ; for wine 2s. 7| d.; 
for beef bought 3s.; for saffron* Id. ; for eggs 4 d. ; 
for one quart of verjuice 2d.; for fish 3 d. ; cheese 13rf.; 
for beer given at the fitting up of the hall 4 di ; for the 
cook’s wages 6d.; as a reward for the brethren at Lynn for 
their care and labour 6si 8 d. ; for five minstrels 10s. ; 
for the expense of Nicholas Tyneteslialle to Lynn, and 
for the purchase of apparel for ten dancers, 5s. 8 d. ; for 
iron nails bought for the fitting up of the hall 6d. ; and 
they gave to Robert, son of Thomas, for the hall and 
ornamenting the same, 3s. 4 d. ; and they gave to John 
Symond, for one man to hang up the burial things, 8^7. ; 
and they paid for a tent in part of payment 10s.; 
for paper bought for the accountant one farthing:—• 
Sum, £3. 6s. 4 d. 

Sum of all the expenditure, £ 14. 17s. 10|J. and so 
the expenditure exceeds the receipts £ 1. 3s. 10 \d. 
which ought to be paid by the sixty-seven brethren, 
viz. each of them 5d.; and thus there would remain 
Is. lljc?. which the said brothers expended in wine 
before they departed; and so from the account nothing 
remains. Amen. 

Memorand . de oib. neciis. ptinentib. Glide See . Trinitat. 

Imprimis, una corona argentea deaurata; it un par 
de bedis de coralle; it 9 par de bedis de ambyr; it 3 
par bed le gette; 2 par per iij* de le argent; it 2 par 
le bedis de coralle, cu 20 pr. mr. argentea; it pendent 
sup. pdcos. le bedis de ambyr, 3 ccifix et 3 annul 


* Saffron was used in cakes. 
K 


146 


HISTORY OF 


argeant; it 1 ccifix ; it de singlis annul, 10 annul; it de 
duplicabuss brochis, 9 br.; it de broch cu lapid, 6 
broch.; it de singlis annul cu lapidib. 8 annul; it un 
clochear argent, cu 9 par de le schmacherr de argent; 
it un ccifix duplic; it un cervm, cu capite deaurata; 
it un ryn. cu lapid ; it un Jessu deaurat ; it un vincl. 
cu ccifix; it 2 Agn. di de le argent; it un brochis de 
deaurat; it 1 broch ; it 2 small brochis; it 1 pr bedis 
de beryll, cu ccifix et Maria imaginis; it 1 accer. qd. 
vocat Dowbyll W, cu corona; it 1 annul argent de aurata; 
it 4 labidib de chrystal et beryll ; 1 branche de corail. 

Memorandum of all the Necessaries belonging to the 
Guild of the Holy Trinity. 

Imprimis, one crown, silver gilt; also one pair of 
beads of coral; also nine pair of beads of amber; also 
three pair of beads of jet; two pair for three of the 
silver ones; also two pair of beads of coral, with twenty 
silver ; also, hanging over the aforesaid beads of amber, 
three crucifixes and three silver rings; also one crucifix; 
also of single rings, ten rings; also of double brooches, 
nine brooches; also of brooches with stones, six 
brooches ; also of single rings with stones, eight rings; 
also one silver clasp, with nine pair of silver stomachers ; 
also one double crucifix ; also one stag with a gilt head ; 
also one ryn with a stone, and one golden Jesu; also 
one chain, with a crucifix; also two Lambs of God of 
silver; also one gilt brooch; also one brooch; also two 
small brooches; also one pair of beads of beryll, with 
a crucifix and an image of the Virgin Mary; also one 
accer , which is called Dowbell W, with a crown ; also 
one silver-gilt ring; also four stones of chrystal and a 
beryll; one branch of coral, 

%i * 


WISBECH. 


147 


In the fifteenth year of the reign of king Richard II. a.d. 
an act of parliament was passed, reciting the “ Statute de 1393. 
“ Religiosis,” or Mortmain, (7th Edward I.) directing 
certificates to be made and returned of all lands, 8cc. of 
all religious places, guilds, and fraternities, and a license 
was henceforth to be obtained from the kino; to cause 
them to be amortysed, whereby these guilds became 
raised into higher importance. 

Of the actual formation and establishment of the 
Wisbech guild, no particular record is preserved. The 
first and earliest notice is “ the account of Adam 
“ Reynald, the chaplain,” as above stated; a lapse of 
forty-four years then succeeds, when the proceedings 
begin to assume more of regularity. A few, therefore, 
of the material orders progressively are transcribed, and 
though they may by many be esteemed unimportant, 
still, in detailing them, we must plead the apology of 
Hume, who well observes that, in reading history, trivial 
incidents, which shew the manners of the age, are often 
more instructive, as well as entertaining, than the great 
transactions of wars and negociations, which are nearly 
similar in all periods and in all countries of the world. 

An inquisition was taken on the morrow of the Holy 1423. 
Trinity, anno dni. millo. ccccxxiij. and in the second 
year of the reign of Henry VI. by John Lambe, alderman, 
when it is recorded that the thirteen persons then assem¬ 
bled proceeded to elect into the office of 


Clerks of the Market , or Skj/vens, 


^ Robert Saker, 


Clerk , . 

Dean, 

Chamberlain, 


^John Masse. 
John Spencer. 


Walter Rokeland. 
Simon Ryan. 


k 2 





148 


HISTORY OF 


Orders. — It was then ordered, that each brother 
should have a hood, on pain of two pounds of wax. 

Item. That all the brethren should dine together on 
the principal day. 

That certain silver, paid into the hands of R. Clay- 
croft and another, should be delivered to John Lambe, 
the alderman of the guild,—that is £ 10. 

That four marks, which were paid into the hands of 
Richard Loke, should be taken and delivered to the 
said alderman. 

That all the brethren of the said guild, who should 
have any silver or gold paid into their hands, should 
be discharged thereof on the principal day. 

That the alderman should receive of John Tofty, of 
Elm, one pot, which Richard Barker gave to the said 
guild. 

That the alderman should receive one dish, which was 
delivered into the hands of John Koope. 

That one leaden vase be delivered into the hands of 
John Lambe. 

Certain repairs were ordered to be done to the hall, 
and the workmen were paid fourpence per day. 

Then follows an account of the monies received for the 
use of the hall by the clerks of the market, as there stated. 

Walter Rokeland is named the dean of the guild before 
the altar. 

There was then accounted for 3s. 6d . for the souls of 
eleven persons there enumerated, with expenses of wax. 

Two or three brethren were called upon to be pledges 
for what should be delivered into the care of the alderman. 

a.d. The brotherhood kept up an annual feast, which was 
1453. held on what is there called “ the Principal Day,” 
presumed to be the feast of the Holy Trinity. Several 


WISBECH. 


149 


items are stated of provisions to be procured, such as 
a calf and a lamb, the price of which was 25. 6d. each, 
and a quarter of veal 4f d. and a minstrel was to be 
allowed. At this time there are said to have been twenty- 
three couples of brothers and sisters. An ordinance was 
also made this year, that all the brothers and sisters 
should come on the principal day into the hall, # viz. at 
the first and second vespers, and also at the great mass, 
and there sit with the alderman at church, according 
to ancient laudable custom, on pain of eight pounds of 
wax ;T with a further order, that when it should happen 
that any brother or sister of the guild in the town of 
Wysebeche should decease, that all the brothers and 
sisters should come to church with the brother or sister 
deceased, to make prayer and offering for his or her 
soul, on pain of one pound of wax. 

About the first year of Edward IV. some disputes a.d. 
appear to have arisen respecting the guild, but the 1460. 
brevity of the entries precludes any explanation. 

It is said, advice was taken about the guild of the 
Holy Trinity, for which a fee was paid to a serjeant at 
law, of 65 . 8 d. and to one John Brewode, of Ely, 35 . 4 d. 

A silver chalice was purchased in this year, weighing 


* There is no description amongst the records of the guild, so as to 
ascertain the spot where this hall was situated. 

t There is a curious ancient assize for regulating the weights of tapers 
and candles used at Canterbury. The pascal taper (representing Christ, 
the chief of the church, the pillar of light, &c.) was to contain three hun¬ 
dred pounds of wax ; the taper at the feasts, ten pounds ; the processional 
ones, three pounds; that on the altar, one pound; those used daily in 
processions and masses, two pounds each. Bateley. 


150 


HISTORY OF 


twenty-nine ounces and a half, at 2s. 6d. per ounce:— 
amount, £3. 12s. 4 d. There appear to have been 
several minor or lesser guilds, though all subject to the 
paramount one of the Holy Trinity; which inferior 
guilds were, by permission, allowed to make use of the 
hall:—their names were as follows, viz. that of 


St. George. 

Corpus Christi. 

The Cross. 

St. John the Baptist. 


St. Peter. 

St. Thomas. 

St. Lawrence. 

The Holy Virgin Mary. 


The confidence placed by the public in these institu¬ 
tions acquired for them much popularity ; and riches 
flowing in from various quarters by the donations of 
the opulent, the members were enabled to exercise 
a.d. greater hospitality. In the first year after the ac- 
1460. cession of Edward IV. a grand feast was ordered to 
be prepared ; it might probably be on account of the 
result of the bloody battle of Towton, # between the 
rival houses of York and Lancaster. Whatever was the 
cause, a more splendid dinner than ordinary was this 
year provided on the principal day, and the viands were 
directed to consist of seven bushels of frumenty, six 
dozen of beer, twenty-four custards, and bokenard for 
pottage, and one stroke of veal for supper; lamb or 
mutton, with chickens or pigeons; and they should 
have in spices two shillings ; and if they should order 
any more, they should pay for it out of their own purse; 


* Edward was obliged to fight this battle before his coronation :—so 
desperate was the conflict, that no quarter was allowed ; there fell 35,781 
persons, and not one prisoner was taken but the earl of Devonshire. This 
event occurred on Palm Sunday. 


WISBECH. 


151 


and also that they should have one minstrel. The 
expense of a calf is stated at 2s. 4c?.; three lambs 
3s. 6c?.; five porkets 3s. ; forty-four chickens 3s. 4c/. 
As a proof of the increasing acquisitions of the guild, 
John Ketyll was this year appointed bailiff, * “ to 
“ direct, manage, and to farm ” all the lands and tene¬ 
ments, assisted by two others; and the said John to 
have 16s. 

Civil war now unhappily raged. This has been truly 
described as a time of trial for the bravest men of our 
country, who, instead of employing their courage in the 
defence of the land of their nativity, turned each man 
against his kinsman, and the dearest friends embraced 
opposite sides, and prepared to bury their private regard 
in factious hatred. In one of these unhappy battles, 
5,000 bodies were found dead on the field : the cries of 
the fatherless, of the helpless orphan, and of the be¬ 
reaved widow were heard on all sides: each man strove 
to rob his brother of his dwelling and of his property. 
During this long and sanguinary contest between the 
houses of York and Lancaster, (which lasted nearly 
forty years) Wisbech, indeed, did not participate in 
any of the eventful scenes, most of the desperate 
battles being fought in the more inland parts of the 
island. At this time, however, we remark a special and 
peculiar order, that the chaplain, after the offertory, 
should pray “ for the good estate, tranquillity, and 
“ peace of all the realm of England.” The alderman 
and his brethren were this year directed to have a 
mornspeche (a meeting of a religious nature of the whole 
brotherhood) on the Friday before Trinity Sunday, at 


* This is the first notice of the appointment of bailiff. 


152 


HISTORY OF 


seven o’clock in the morning, at the guild-hall. Sterre- 
bridge fair is at this time spoken of as a mart well known, 
and the clerk and dean were ordered to provide against 
the principal feast certain wax shots and seven torches, 
and to buy wax at Sterrebridge fayre. # 

a.d. As the possessions of the guild increased, the estab- 
1475. lishment was augmented. The officers on the election of 
this year are enumerated as follows: 


One Alderman, 

Two Skyvens, Scabini, or Stewards of the Hall, 
Scribe, 

Dean, 

Two Storekeepers, 

Server in the Hall, 

Keeper of the Jewels, 

And the salary of the bailiff of the lands was raised 
to £ 1. 65. 8 d. Although the vicarage had been endowed 
for more than two hundred years, this is the first year 
in which the name of “ Vicar ” occurs, when there was 
an order that all the jewels delivered should be put 
into safe keeping, with four keys, to be kept by the 
alderman, vicar, and two others. More regularity began 


* The great mart called Sterrebridge fair, in the time of Fuller, is stated 
by him to be the largest in England. This fair is said to have originated 
from the circumstance of a clothier of Kendal having accidentally 
wetted his cloth in the river there, and exposed it to sale at a cheap rate. 
It is also said that the Irish merchants brought cloth and other goods to 
that emporium, in the reign of king Athelstan, a. d. 924. Be it as it may, 
(for it is impossible to pierce the veil of antiquity, and discover in what 
degree fiction is blended with fact) it is certain that Sterrebridge fair has 
long been a mart of great celebrity, and is still, at this day, well known 
and in reputation. 


WISBECH. 


153 


now to be assumed by the guild as a corporate body, 
for on the same day it is recorded, that the common 
seal* was delivered to them, which is the first mention 
of any common seal being used. William Gybb is after¬ 
wards mentioned as perpetual vicar of the church of 
Wisbech; but other priests were appointed for the 
celebration of mass at the chapels within the said 
church, of which, that of the Holy Virgin is said to 
have been lately erected. The following memorandum 
also here occurs: u Mr. Thomas Barker, one of the exe- 
“ cutors of the last will and testament of Thomas Blower, 

“ came in his own proper person before William Gybbe, 

“ vicar of Wysebech, John Elwyn, and other co-fraters 
“ in the gild-hall of the Holy Trinity of Wysebech, the a.d. 
“ 18th June, a. d. 1477, ac dni. reg. Edward IV. 16mo, 1477. 
“ and there granted, and in perpetual alms gave to the 
u said gild of the Holy Trinity, to the honor of God 
“ omnipotent and the blessed Virgin Mary, for the 
“ salvation of the soule of the said Thomas Blower, 

“ one new edifice, called the Almshouse, built and 
“ situate in the New Market of Wysebech, next the 
“ church-yard of the church of St. Peter of Wysebech 
“ west,f the common way east, and abutts on a messuage 
“ of William Bennings north.” There is also a further 

* William the Conqueror introduced the use of seals from Normandy, 
and they were not employed by our Saxon ancestors. The use of seals 
may be traced in the pages of sacred and profane history from the most 
early periods. The first sealed charter is that of Edward the Confessor to 
Westminster abbey, which use he brought with him from Normandy, and 
then his seal was a cross ; but common seals for boroughs were not gene¬ 
rally introduced until the latter part of the reign of Edward IV. In the 
returns for the most ancient cities, including London, Winchester, and 
Canterbury, a common seal was not found before the reign of Edward IV. 

1460. The great seal of England was first used in 1050. 

t The almshouses on the north side of the church, called by many 
“ King John’s Almshouses,” may perhaps be alluded to. 


154 


HISTORY OF 


memorandum, that William Gybb, perpetual vicar of 
the church of Wysebech, had granted to the guild a 
messuage, with the buildings and appurtenances, in 
the Old Market of Wisbech, in perpetual alms, for the 
soul of John Mass, alderman, and the souls of his wife 
and children, to celebrate a mass for the deceased, and 
distribute in alms to the poor, &c. 

Certain ornaments for the altar of the Holy Trinity 
were directed to be delivered to the dean, and the altar 
itself to be prepared for the principal feast, “ with nine 
“ crowns and pannel with the jewels.” 

a.d. About the time of Henry VII. the term “ Inquest,” 

1502. or “ Inquisition, ” became altered to “ Election,” and 
called “ Elecco Aldermaniuwhen Richard Wyatt, 
the vicar of Wisbech, was admitted into the brotherhood, 
and paid for his admission 6s. 8d.; and an order was 
made, that no brother or sister should have his or her 
victuals and services at their own houses, without legi¬ 
timate excuse, or by reason of illness, and this to be 
allowed by the alderman and his brethren ; which was 
followed up by another order, that the presbyters be¬ 
longing to the guild of the Holy Trinity of Wysebech, 
celebrating mass in the chapel of the Holy Trinity there, 
should celebrate the first mass at the sixth hour; the 
second at eight, and the third at their pleasure ; and that 
the presbyters should appear in their surplices at all 
hours, to sing in the church of the blessed apostles 
Peter and Paul of Wysebech, viz. at first vespers, 
(complete) the matins; at other hours, mass, two 
vespers (complete); and at all other masses out of 
devotion in the said church, to sing, on pain of four- 
pence for every hour aforesaid, unless from illness or 
absence on a journey. 


WISBECH. 


155 


In the following year, Mr. Wyatt, the vicar, was a.d. 
elected the alderman of the guild, and continued so for 1503. 
several successive years. Anciently, the maintenance of 
the poor was chiefly an ecclesiastical concern; a fourth 
part of the tithes in every parish was set apart for that 
purpose; the minister had the chief direction in the 
disposal thereof, assisted by the churchwardens and 
other principal inhabitants. Afterwards, when the tithes 
of many of the parishes became appropriated to the 
religious houses, those societies paid some share likewise 
towards the relief of the poor, and the rest was made 
up by voluntary contributions: but the monasteries, 
which fed and supported a very numerous class, were 
the ordinary resource of the destitute. 

In this year is an order, that the steward in the hall, 1506. 
and server at the kitchen board, should see every brother 
and sister honestly served in the hall, upon Trinity 
Sunday; and when the alderman and his brethren should 
have dined, that all the poor people there present should 
be set at a table in the said hall, and served with such 
meat as should be left; after this time, special directions 
are given for the poor to be set and served at an appointed 
table.* 

Two persons were also nominated this year to serve 1508. 
the poor with meat and drink, on the Sunday of the 
Holy Trinity, with the fragments from the table of the 
alderman and brethren of the guild. 


* When our Anglo-Saxon kings dined, the poor sat in the streets, 
expecting the broken meat. Edward I. relieved six hundred and sixty-six 
every Sunday, besides many on saint-days. Thirteen, from Christ and the 
apostles, was a favorite number. Fosbrooke’s Antiquities • 


15G 


HISTORY OF 


Most of the religious houses had a person under their 
control to superintend the education of youth; at this 
period, the office of schoolmaster first occurs, and 
although no entry is made previous to this of such an 
appointment, still it does not seem to be a new office, 
as the resolution runs in general words: “ that the 
“ schoolmaster shall have from midsummer next eight 
“ marks sterling for his wages Ten acres of pasture 
in Fenland field were let for twenty years at ten shillings 
a year, and four persons were ordered to overlook the 
writings, and to ride about and view the lands of the 
guild. 

a.d. In this year, an order was made for translating all 

1513. the first statutes and ordinances of the guild, out of 
Latin into English; but these translations (if ever made) 
have not been preserved, so as to be handed down with 
the other records. 

1514. In the following year, an order was made for two 
obits to be kept in the chapel of the Holy Trinity, 
within the church, of St. Peter and Paul of Wisbech , 
with placebo, dirige, and mass of requiem; and more 
solemnities seem to have been used in the conduct and 
proceedings of the guild, and of the fraternity altogether, 
if we may judge from the directions then given, viz, for 
four torchetts of wax to be born before the alderman 
to and from church, and to burn in the hall at the 
time of grace and prayers’ saying; and also to be born 
before every brother and sister of the guild to church at 
their death day, and to burn all the time of dirige and 
mass at the costs of the said guild, and born to church 
at the costs of the deceased ; and that three priests 
should say mass;—the first in the chapel of the Holy 


WISBECH. 


157 


Trinity at Wisbech at six o’clock; and another to sing 
mass by note in the chapel of our blessed lady there at 
eight o’clock; and the other of the said priests to say 
mass in the chapel of the Holy Trinity when disposed. 

And that none of the priests should on any occasion go 
out of town for a day and a night, without license of 
the alderman or his deputy. 

The peculiarity of the following order is the apology 
for introducing it. 

“ It is ordered, that the chamberlains and bailiffs do a.d. 
“ provide four tapers of wax, to burn all the time while 1519. 
“ grace is saying, and each of them holding in their 
“ hands a pot of ale of a quarte; and when grace is 
u ended, the said ale to be given to the people then 
“ present, according to the old ordinance. 

Great respect seems to have been paid to psalmody, 
and the manner of praising God by singing and 
chaunting; it being ordered, that no person should 
chaunt in a certain way, unless he were a priest, or 
should teach grammar or other exercise in the town of 
Wisbech. 

The number of officers of the guild on the feast of the 1521. 
Holy Trinity kept increasing, as appears by this year’s 
election, (13th Henry VIII.) for after ordering that the 
steward of the guild should, upon the guild day before 

* Asking people to drink in token of friendship is very ancient. The 
Greeks drank to one another. “ Give us a Friend ” is derived from them. 

The origin of the term “ Toast ” is uncertain, but was probably a mere 
metaphor, from a toast floating in a cup of liquor. Fosbrooke’s Antiquities, 
vol. ii. 


358 


HISTORY OF 


mass, at the fetching of the alderman to church, provide 
a competent breakfast for the said alderman, brethren, 
and sisters of the guild, and all to have drink, at least, 
if they would;—they proceeded to appoint the following 
officers : 

One Alderman, 

One Dean, 

One Clerk, 

One Steward of the Hall —Seneschall Aula, 

One Server in the Kitchen, 

Two Cupbearers— Ceph. Gevent. 

Two Scabini —Servientes Pauperum. 

Two Chamberlains —In Camar . 

One Bailiff —In Ballivum. 

One Porter at the Door. 

a.d. And it was ordered, that every brother and sister 
1524. should give their attendance and come to the guild-hall 
every year, on the vigil of the Holy Trinity, and so go 
with the alderman from the said hall to church, to the 
first even-song of the said vigil; the next day to mass 
and even-song; and the next day to be at church at 
the dirige and mass of requiem, and there to pray and 
offer for all the founders, brethren, and sisters’ souls 
of the guild, on pain, without lawful excuse, of one 
pound of wax. 

Alexander Balam is here mentioned as the alderman. # 

♦ 

Chamberlains were now appointed to look after the 
estates, then beginning to be of value and importance, 

* The successors of this family afterwards resided at Elm, and 
continued to live there with great respectability for many years. 


WISBECH. 


159 


whose orders were to ride and view all the lands, and 
note what charges were done and made by the bailiffs; 
and for the first time there is stated a particular of leases 
granted, by which it appears that the land consisted of 
one hundred and eighty-seven acres, let for £ 17. 5 s.; 
among which are the forty acres in Emneth, in Meadow- 
gate Lane, belonging to the capital burgesses at the 
present day, and which then let for £ 3 . per annum: and 
it was ordered, that no man should be permitted to sell 
his lease, without consent of the alderman and twelve 
of the brethren. 

The inquest seems now to have assumed a kind of 
judicial authority : we find them presenting two indi¬ 
viduals for misusing the alderman in words, and amercing 
each of them 3s. 4 d. 

In more recent times, it has been a long established 
custom for the burgesses of Wisbech to present a purse 
of money, which of late years has been twenty guineas, 
to the lord bishop of the diocese on his primary visi¬ 
tation. This donation, which seems originally to have 
been a recognition of the bishop’s authority as lord of 
the franchise, and to have been received as a mark of 
respect from ancient usage, is now returned by his 
lordship, to be disposed of towards some charitable a.d. 
foundation in the town. This year (25th Henry VIII.) 1534. 
a payment of £7. 65 . Sd . is stated to have been made to 
bishop Gooderick, on his first coming to Wisbech as 
bishop. 

The time having now arrived when this country began 
to throw off its allegiance to the pope, the style and 


160 


HISTORY OF 

date of the meetings are altered, being now written 
as follows: “ 27th Henry VIII. by the grace of God 
“ of England, France, and Scotland, King, Defender of 
“ the Faith, Lord of Ireland, and on earth the supreme 
“ Head of the English Church.” 

a. d. In this year passed the act for the dissolution of the 
1540. monasteries; after which no further entry is made of 
the proceedings of the guild, though it appears to 
have existed as a body until the 24th of June 1547, 
when there is a record of monies received, amongst 
which occurs the expense of the alderman and three 
others to meet the commissioners at Ely.* 

1547, 1st Edward VI.—The record of the last meeting of 
the guild which took place is as under: 

John Prockter, Alderman. 

Robert Scotred, Bailiff. 

Henry Johnson, 7 7 7 . 

> Chamberlains. 

William Day, ) 

John Baxter, Steward in the Hall, 

George More, Server. 

John Wilson, 

Richard Spencer, 

William Andrew, 

John Amlyn, 

John Knight, Skevener. 

Edward Willis, Clerk. 


} 

} 


Cupbearers. 


Almoners. 


* This was at the time the king’s commissioners sat at Ely, for inquiring 
into the religious establishments. 


/ 


WISBECH, 

% 

The proceedings of the guild conclude with an 
account of the lands and messuages in its possession a.d. 
1551, many whereof are described as the gift of certain 
individuals there named, amongst whom is William 
Belman, who is said, “ in honor of the Holy Trinity,” 
to have built an eleemosynary house, called, in modern 
language, “ a Gylde Hall.” The whole possessions are 
then enumerated, which seem to have consisted of two 
hundred and seventy-seven acres and three roods of 
land, independent of the eleemosynary house, and an 
edifice called the almshouse, near the church-yard of the 
church of St. Peter, having a common way east, and the 
church-yard west, together with two other messuages, 
one of which was situated on the castle dyke. 

The seal of the guild has not been preserved amongst 
the records of the present corporation; That they had 
a common seal, # and by virtue thereof exercised 
powers of acquisition and alienation is undoubted ; a 
deed being still extant, to which the common seal 
of the fraternity, in good preservation, is appended, 
now in the possession of John Bellamy, Esq. to whom 
the compiler feels indebted, not only for the loan, but 
for permission to be allowed to take a drawing of the 
seal. The deed is dated 23d May 1537,f (29th Henry 
VIII.) being a release from Alexander Balam, alderman, 
and the co-fraters of the guild, to one Nicholas Peyrson, 
of all their right, for a valuable consideration, in a 
certain tenement, with the appurtenances, on the castle 


* See page 116. 

t This conveyance is contained in the limit of two hundred and thirty- 
six words j—a great contrast between such deed and the prolixity of modern 
conveyances. 


161 


L 


162 


HISTORY OF 


ditch in Wisbech. The seal is about two inches and 
three eighths in diameter, and has three human figures 
surmounting a castle, which, from the similarity to the 
engraving on the seal used by the governor in 1410, # 
leaves little doubt but it was the representation of the 
ancient castle of Wisbech. A shield is underneath the 

castle. The words “ Sigillu Fratnitati’ sive Gildae- 

“ Trinitatis de Wysbech ” surround the seal: + the 
adjective “ Sanctse” most probably supplied the chasm 
where the seal is mutilated. 


The Dissolution of the Guild. 

We are now arrived at that period when one of the 
most remarkable events in the history of this or any 
other country took place,—the reformation of our national 
church from the errors of popery. The foundation of 
this great revolution was laid in the reign of king 
Henry VIII.J but it was not finally completed until the 
time of Edward VI. when the doctrines of the reform¬ 
ation were established by law. Edward was little more 
than nine years old when he ascended the throne; Dr. 
Cox and Sir John Cheke^ were appointed his preceptors, 
names well known in the history of the reformation and 
of literature. 


•/ 

* See page 134. 

t Mr. Hutcliesson notices this same seal in his *' Introduction to the 
“ Charter,” which, he there observes, is circumscribed with the words 

“ Sigillum Communitatum Gildae-Trinitatis de Wysbeche,” but, with 

every deference, it is submitted that the correct reading is as stated above. 

$ King Henry VIII. is said to have suppressed 1,148 monasteries in 
England, whose revenue amounted to ,£ 183,707. per annum. The 
conduct of the greater abbeys appears to have been unexceptionable. 
Twenty-six mitred barons sat in the house of lords. 

§ The learned Sir John Ckeke was a native of Cambridge. 





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WISBECH* 


163 


Under this amiable young prince, the reformation a.d. 
proceeded without impediment.* One of the first acts 1547. 
in the new reign was to confer upon the king all 
chantries, free chapels, and colleges, which was done 
by the passing of an act, intituled, “ An Act for 
“ Chantries Collegiatewhereby it was ordained— 

First,—-That the king should have and enjoy all 
lands theretofore by any person given, to be employed 
wholly to the finding a maintenance of any anniversary^ 
or obit, or any light or lamp in any church. 

Secondly, — That all fraternities and brotherhoods 
should be given to the king, with all the manors, lands, &c* 

Thirdly,—That commissioners should be appointed to 
survey all the lay corporations, guilds, fraternities, and 
all the evidences and writings, &c. 

Fourthly,—And that the same commissioners should 
have power to assign and appoint (in every place where 
any guild or fraternity, or the priest or incumbent of 
any chantry in esse, by the foundation or first institution 
thereof, should have kept a grammar school, or a preacher) 
lands, tenements, and other hereditaments, of every such 
chantry, guild, or fraternity, to remain, continue, and be 
in succession to a schoolmaster or preacher for ever, 
for and towards keeping of a grammar school or 


* It has been observed, that the young king Edward VI. greatly re¬ 
sembled Josiah: he gave, indeed, singular evidence of wisdom and piety 
far beyond his years. 

t Anniversaries were a sort of donations, for one or more year or years, 
to religious houses or the poor, for the good of the soul of the deceased. 

L 2 


164 


HISTORY OF 


preaching, of and for such godly intents and purposes 
as the same commissioners or two of them should 
appoint. 

And that such commissioners should execute the 
commission to him or them directed, beneficially towards 
the deans, masters, wardens, and other ministers, and 
towards the poor people ;- and also towards the main¬ 
tenance of piers, jetties, walls, or banks against the 
rage of the sea, havens, and creeks. 

And that the king should have all the goods, jewels, 
plate, ornaments, and other moveables of every such 
chantry to his use, &c. 

By virtue of the above act of parliament, commis¬ 
sioners were appointed to execute the orders thereby 
directed; and two such commissioners being nominated 
for the purpose of making due inquiries into the con¬ 
stitution of the guild of the Holy Trinity belonging to 
the town of Wisbech, these, with the alderman and 
churchwardens, met at Ely, when the following articles 
were proposed, to which the answers are annexed. 

The Articles. 

a.d. The answer to the articles concerning the Trinity gild 
1548. of Wisbech, according to the articles sent from the 
king’s highness’ commissioners, and delivered by Thomas 
Crosse, chief constable, made by John Austyn, Henry 
Rose, churchwardens, Thomas Preston, curate of the 
township of Wisbech, within the county of Cambridge, 
as hereafter doth follow, by order: 


WISBECH. 


165 


Imprimis, one fraternitie or brotherhood founded 
within the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in 
Wysbech aforesaid. 

Name :—The Trinitie Gyld. 

The names of priests or chaplains thereto belonging, 
as followeth: 

Mr. Henry Ogle, Schoolmaster . 

Sir Nicholas Myller.* 

Sir Thomas Cameron. 

Sir Robert Lynde. 

Item.—The said fraternitie was founded by s’ten n 
devott persons in the 2d year of king Richard II. and 
also confyrmed by divers of the king’s most noble 
progenitors, and also confyrmed by the king’s highness, 
in the twentieth year of his most noble reign. 

Founded for a free school their, to educatt and bring 
up the youths; 

And to preach the word of God ; 

And to celebrate other divine servis, praying for the 
king’s majestie,T and for the preservation of this realme; 

And to relieve s’teyne poor people, as more plainly 
doth apere by the foundation, See. 

The articles here break off abruptly. The next item 
is as follows: 


* It was usual in those days to prefix the title of “ Sir ” to the names 
of a certain description of ecclesiastics, instead of “ Reverend.” Curates, 
chaplains, vicars, or rectors were styled Sir, or Dominus, to distinguish 
them from masters of arts, or magistri. Nicholls' Anecdotes. 

t “ Majesty” w r as never used until the time of Ilenry VIII. “ Grace 
began about the time of Henry IV.; “ Excellent Grace, under Ilenry \ . 


166 


HISTORY OF 

I 

It.—The said Thomas, and the other, to the first 
article, sayeth, there is one chapel within the said cure 
of Wisbech, at a place called Murrow , in the fen end 
of the same town, underneath the high Fendyke, named 
the Chapel of Corpus Christi; and to the same there is 
one stipendiary priest, whose name is Sir Robert Yorke. 

• 

It.—To the second article, they say that the said 
chapel of Corpus Christi was there set and founded nigh 
unto the said high Fendyke for one principal cause, that 
is, forasmuch as the said high Fendyke being in distance 
from the parish church four miles and more, and being 
a very payneful and noisome way, and commonly also 
insound, so that the inhabitants thereto adjoining are 
not able to ride or go to their head church, and the high 
Fendyke at this present day is so greatly charged with 
the fresh waters coming down from the shires of Hun¬ 
tingdon, Bedford, Northampton, Lesster, and the waters 
of Welland, so that there stands so great an head of 
the fresh water yearly against the said high Fendyke, 
the which is not only the defence and preservation of 
the towne of Wisbech, but also the preservation of 
fourteen towns adjoining unto the said town of Wisbech, 
and lying within the damage of the said high Fendyke, 
to the intent that the said Fendyke might be continually 
maintained and kept with and by the inhabitants in¬ 
habiting under the said high Fendyke, not only for the 
preservation of the said town of Wisbech, but also for 
the wealth and preservation of the said fourteen towns 
thereunto adjoining, the which is yearly in great danger 
and hazard of breach, unless as well the said inhabitants 
now inhabiting under the said high Fendyke, as all 
other inhabitants dwelling within any of the said four¬ 
teen towns, were not at all times ready at hand, as 


WISBECH. 


167 


well by night as by day, at the rising of every flood 
and sudden storm, (it is yearly in experience) that if 
there were lacking but four men, all the rest shall not 
be able of their power to save and preserve the said 
high Fendyke without breach, for if any breach should 
chance for lack of man's help, (as God defend it 
from) the whole inhabitants of the town of Wisbech, 
and also the other fourteen towns thereunto adjoining, 
should be utterly and clearly undone and destroyed for 
ever. In consideration, and for that intent, the said 
high Fendyke being four miles and more from the said 
parish church of Wisbech, (as is before expressed) might 
be continually and for evermore the better preserved, 
maintained, and substantially kept, for the wealth and 
preservation of the aforesaid country,—the said chapel 
of Corpus Christi was sett and founded nigh unto the 
said high Fendyke, by the ancestors of Mr. Richard 
Everard, with the help of the inhabitants there dwelling 
at the time, as the inhabitants saith, having none other 
foundation, but that my lord bishop of Ely and his 
predecessors, from time to time, hath licensed and 
permitted the inhabitants there, for the causes before 
mentioned, to have a chaplain or priest there to minister 
and celebratt divine servis, as true Christian people 
ought to have; to the sustentation whereof, that the 
inhabitants of the said high Fendyke might the better 
be in rediness to give their attendance the more readily, 
certain of the inhabitants being deceased hath given to 
the said chapel certain lands, to remain from time to 
time in the hands of the chapelwardens, towards the 
finding of the said priest, as more plainly shall appear 

hereafter. 


It.—To the third article, &c. Chapel. 


/ 


168 


HISTORY OF 

It.—To the fourth article, they say that all the profits 
of the said lands and tenements belonging to the said 
chapel are taken by the said chapelwardens, employing 
and expending of the same towards the finding a priest 
to celebratt divine servis to the inhabitants there. 

There are no answers to the following articles until 
the twelfth, when it is said, there is now growing 
certain trees, in value to be sold, 35. 4 d. 

Upon this inquiry by his majesty’s commissioners, it 
was satisfactorily ascertained that the guild had sup¬ 
ported a grammar school in the town of Wisbech, and 
likewise that a priest or incumbent of a chantry was in 
esse, and that certain piers, jetties, and banks were also 
maintained against the rage of the sea; whereupon the 
inhabitants of Wisbech lost no opportunity of availing 
themselves of the provisions of the before-mentioned 
statute; and having solicited the good offices of bishop 
Gooderick, * which they were fortunate in obtaining, 
his majesty w T as pleased to restore the possessions of the 
guild, on payment of a certain sum of money, and to 
raise the town into a corporation, as will be immediately 
hereafter shewn. 

An account was ordered to be taken of the possessions 
of the late guild, which are stated to be as follows: 


* Bishop Gooderick took an active part in promoting the reformation: 
he died at Somersham. 


RECAPITULATION. 


WISBECH. 


169 


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170 


HISTORY OF 


p/ 1 • 5. d» 

The clear Rental as on other side brought forward . 46 16 9$ 

Particulars of the Rents, Outgoings, and Annual ) 

Payments out of such Possessions, as follows: * 

The Lord Bishop of Ely, as of his Manor of Wysbech 
The Dean and Chapter, as of the Manor aforesaid.. 

Galfred Norman ........ .... . 

Rectory of Wysbeclie . . 

Nicholas Meggs . ...... . 

Darville . . .... 

Godfred Colvylle, Esq. . . 0 0 8 

Robert Bushey .. . .... 0 0 6 

Richard Everard, Gent. . . 0 

Lady Mary, as of the aforesaid Manor . 0 


per ann. 

of. 

d. 

3 17 

9 

0 13 

9 

0 2 

0 

0 7 

10 

0 11 

8 

0 6 

2 


Richard Hunstone .... 

John Reppes . 

Christopher Langholme, Esq. 

Simon Trone . 

John Fynn ...... 

-Haggard ........ 


0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 


0 

0 

2 

2 

7 

1 

1 

0 

0 


5 


6 19 


Rents going out of the Lands and Tenements afore-^ 
said, for the Repairs of the Shores, Banks, and 
Annual Payments of the late Fraternity, to the v,jq 
B ailiff of the Hundred of Wisbech, in each year 
certain . . . 




n 

0 

1 

1 

H 

2 

1 


To the Fee of the Bailiff, or Collector of the same 10 0 


18 i: 


Memorandum—Out of the Possessions of the Guild N 
■was yearly distributed in relief to the Poore off v 3 15 0 

the same Towne, the sum of .^ 

Also out of the said Possessions was yearly paid the ) ^ 
Schoolmaster for his Wages, the sum of ..$ 


o£28 3 2* 


6 8 


14 1 8 


Clear Annual Value 


of 14 1 6i 


My Lord Protector’s Grace, upon the suyte of the Byshopp of Ely, 
was then pleased that the Inhabitants should be allowed the sums as of 
the King’s Majesty’s gyft, making together £ 28. 35 . 2 \d. 


V 













































WISBECH. 


171 


Therefore, deducting these charges from the above 
annual value, £46. 16s. 9 \d., there would remain a 
clear income of £ 14. Is. 6f d. ; which, valued according 
to the rate in the before-going schedule of possessions, 
amounts to £260. 10s. 10c?.—the consideration paid for 
obtaining the charter. And the king’s majesty dis¬ 
charged the purchaser of all incumbrances, except leases 
and covenants in the same, and except the rents above 
mentioned. The purchaser was to have the yssues from 
Michaelmas last, and to be bound for the woodd;—the 
lead, bells, and advowsons excepted. 

(Signed) Richard Sakevyleth. 

Wa. Mildemaye. 

Robert Keylkey. 
per Thomas Wreeme. 

In order to draw a comparative view of the possessions 
of the guild, and the actual quantity of land at present 
enjoyed by the capital burgesses, the following statement 
is subjoined. 

By the before-going schedule, it is shewn what pos¬ 
sessions of the guild fell into the hands of king Edward 
VI. which his majesty re-granted to the inhabitants of 
Wisbech by his charter, for the purposes therein men¬ 
tioned, which appears in the recapitulation to have 
consisted of six messuages, four gardens, and 616| acres 
of land, by estimation. Upon a personal view, taken in 
the year 1822, of all the lands then and now belonging to 
the body corporate, by the then town-bailiff, it appeared 
that their property in houses and lands consisted of one 
messuage, and 716a. Ir. 39p. of land, as follow: 


172 


HISTORY OF 


Possessions of the Guild re-granted to 
the Inhabitants by the Charter of 
King Edward VI. 


Actual quantity of Land on a 
view made and taken thereof 
by the Town-Bailiff in 1822. 


W here situated. 

Mess. 

Gard. 

Lands 
Arable 
& Pas¬ 
ture. 

ACRES. 

' > 

Mess. 

Gard. 

Lands. 

A. R. P. 

In Wisbech .. 

4 

2 

349£ 

• • • • 



355 

1 2 

— Leverington 

1 

1 

127 

• • • • 



138 

3 17 

>— Newton, a V 









fishing cote, > 



n 

• • • • 





&c.* 









—TiddSt.Mary’s 



6 

• • • • 



6 

0 0 

— Elm. 



7 

• • • • 



44 

2 0 

— Emneth .... 



40 

• • • • 



40 

0 0 

— W alton .... 



9 

• • • • 



17 

0 3 

—Walpole .... 

1 

1 

70 

• • • • 

1 


114 

3 17 


6 

4 

616£ 


1 


716 

1 39 


Since the period of king Edward’s Charter, several Allot- 
ments in Wisbech Fen have been set out to the Capital f 
Burgesses, in right of their Messuages, &c. amounting I 

to . J 

Also, under the Walpole Inclosure and Marshland Smeetli ) 
and Fen Acts, several other Allotments, amounting to .. * 
The Capital Burgesses also purchased in Studmoreliolme ) 
Field and West Newfield, in Walpole, in the year 1596 ^ 

Ditto, in Walton, in 1820 . 

There have also been set out for the Capital Burgesses, ) 
certain Allotments in Walton, containing...$ 


A. R. p. 

47 0 0 

28 3 17 

30 0 0 

2 2 0 

8 0 3 


Which accounts for an increase of .... a 116 1 20 

• <C * 


* The fishing cote, and seven acres and three roods of land in Newton, 
are not at this time in the possession of the burgesses, nor does it appear 
among their recorded proceedings how this right or the land has been 
alienated. 







































WISBECH. 


173 


After the valuation of the possessions of the late 
guild, his majesty Edward VI. was pleased not only 
to re-grant the said guild estates, but to elevate the 
town of Wisbech into a Corporation, confirming the 
same to the inhabitants by virtue of the following 
Charter. 





174 


HISTORY OF 


CHARTA VILLE DE WYSBYCHE. 


o Ed. VI. Edwardus Sextus Dei Gratia Anglie Franc 
a.d. et Hibine Rex Fidei Defensor et in Terra 
1549. Ecclie Anglicane et Hibine Supremum Caput om¬ 
nibus ad quos presentes Ire pervenerint saltm 
Sciati qd nos tam pro suma ducentar sexa- 
ginta librar decern solidor et decern denarior 

legalis Monete Anglie ad manus Thesaurarii nri 
Curie nre Augmencacionii et Revencionum Corone 
nre ad usum nrm per dlcos nob Henricum Good- 
ricke Armigerum Ricm Everard Armigerum Johem 
Sutton Nichm Fordham Johem Prockter Generosos 
Thomam Crosse Willm Beste Willm Perte Robertum 
Skorterede et Thomam Bocker Yomen inhabitantes 
Ville de Wysbyche infra Insulam Elien in Com 
nre Cantebr bene et fideliter persolut ac ad in- 
stanciam Reverend in Xro ptris Thome Elien Epi 
qui certis de causis et considerationib urgentib 
nos pro universo comodo et communi utilitate 
lnsule predict moventibs et instigatib volumus et 
ex certa scientia et mero motu nris necnon de 
avisamento precharissimi Avunculi et Consiliarii nri 
Edwardi Ducis Soms Persone nre Gubnatoris 
et Regnor Dnor Subditorq nror Protectoris ac 



WISBECH. 


175 


CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF WISBECH. 


Edward the Sixth, by the grace of God of England, sdEd.VL 
France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and a.d. 
on Earth of the English and Irish Church, Supreme 1549. 
Head, to all to whom these present letters shall come, 
greeting:—K now ye that we, as well for the sum of 
two hundred and sixty pounds, ten shillings, and ten 
pence, of lawful money of England, into the hands of 
the Treasurer of our Court of our Augmentation and 
Revenues of our Crown to our use, by our beloved Henry 
Gooderick, Esquire, Richard Everard, Esquire, John 
Sutton, Nicholas Fordham, John Prokter, Gentlemen, 

Thomas Crosse, William Beste, William Perte, Robert 
Skorterede, and Thomas Bocker, Yeomen, inhabitants of 
the Town of Wysbyche, within the Isle of Ely, in our 
County of Cambridge, well and truly paid ; and at the 
instance of the Reverend Father in Christ, Thomas, 

Bishop of Ely, who for certain urgent causes and con¬ 
siderations for the general advantage and common benefit 
of the Isle, us moving and exciting,—do will, and of our 
knowledge and mere motion, also by the advice of our 
most dearly beloved Uncle and Counsellor, Edward, 

Duke of Somerset, the Guardian of our Person, and of 
our Kingdoms, Dominions, and Subjects, Protector, and 



176 


HISTORY OF 


ceteror Consiliarior nror pro nob Hered et Successorib 
nris per psentes concedimus inhabitantib Ville do 
Wysbyche predict qd dicti inhabitantes predict 
Ville de Wysbyche de cetero sint et erunt in 
re facto et noie unm corpus et una coiatas de 
se impptm incorporat per nomen Inhabitantium 
Ville de Wysbyche infra Insulam Eliens in 
Com Cantabr ac ipos inhabitantes predict V ille 
per nomen Inhabitantium Ville de Wysbyche infra 
Insulam Elien in Com Cantabr per presentes 
incorporamus ac Corpus Corporat imppetr du- 
ratur realiter et ad plenum creamus exigimus 
ordinamus discernimus dclamus facimus et con- 
stituimus per presentes Et qd heant et hebunt 
successionem perpetuam Et qd heant coe Sigillum 
pro negociis suis agend deservitur Ac etiam qd 
sint per idem nomen persone habiles et capaces 
in lege ad perquirend accipiend recipiend et habend 
tarn de nob Mesuagia Terras Tenementa Prata 
Parcua Pasturas ac cetera omnia et singula in 
his Iris nris patent express et specificat qm de 
quibuscunque aliis personis et alia persona qua- 
cumque Maneria Terras Tenementa ac Hereditamenta 
quacumque hend et tenend successorib suis im¬ 
pptm Ac etiam de gracia nra speciali et ex 
certa scientia et mero motu nris necnon de 
avisamento predict ac pro causis et considera- 
tionib supradictis dedimus et coneessimus ac per 
presentes damus et concedimus prefatis inhabitantib 
de Ville de Wysbyche infra Insulam Eliens in 
Com Cantebr omnia ilia Mesuagia Terras Tene¬ 
menta Prata Pascua Pastur et Hereditamenta nra 
quacumq scituat jacen et existen in Villis Campis- 


WISBECH. 


177 


/ 


of other our Counsellors, for ourselves, our Heirs and Suc¬ 
cessors, by these presents have granted to the inhabitants 
of the Town of Wysbyche aforesaid, that the said inhab¬ 
itants of the said Town of Wysbyche from henceforth 
may and shall be in fact and in name, one Body and one 
Community of themselves for ever incorporated, by the 
name of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wysbyche, within 
the Isle of Ely, in the County of Cambridge ; and the said 
inhabitants of the Town aforesaid, by the name of the 
Inhabitants of the Town of Wysbyche, within the Isle 
of Ely, in the County of Cambridge, we have by these 
presents incorporated, and a Body Corporate for ever to 
remain, really and fully have created, established, ordained, 
determined, declared, made, and constituted by these 
presents; and that they may and shall have perpetual 
succession ; and that they may have a Common Seal to 
be serviceable for transacting their affairs ; and also that 
they should be by the same name persons fit and capable 
in law to acquire, take, receive, and have, as well of us 
the Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Meadows, Feedings, 
Pastures, and all and singular other things in these our 
letters patent expressed and specified, as from all other 
persons whomsoever, and any other person whatsoever, 
Manors, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments what¬ 
soever, to have and to hold of our successors for ever. 
And also of our special favor, and of our certain know¬ 
ledge and mere motion, also by the advice aforesaid, and 
for the causes and considerations above mentioned, we 
have given and granted, and by these presents do give 
and grant to the said inhabitants of the Town of Wys- 
bvche, within the Isle of Ely, in the County of Cam¬ 
bridge, all those our Messuages, Lands, Tenements, 
Meadows, Feedings, Pastures, and Hereditaments, where¬ 
soever situated, lying and being in the Towns, Fields, 


M 


178 


HISTORY OF 


et Parochiis de Wysbyche Leverington Newton et 
Elme in dco Com Cantebr ac in Tyde See 
Marie in Com nro Lincoln ac in Emnethe West 
Walton et Walpole in Partib de Marsheland in 
Com nro NorfF que sunt vel nuper fuerunt in 
seperalibus tenuris sive occupationib Thome Drabbe, 
Martin Person Thome Tooke Willi Salabanke Johis 
Martinson Roberti Tego Thome Crosse Johis Prockter 
Roberti Scortred Alani Jekyn Edwardi Archure Johis 
Knyght Hamonis Adam alias Stephynson Radulphi 
Rychardson Rici Dodynge Pauli Appuliarde alias App- 
lyarde Agnetis Warner Roberti Osbourne Katherine 
Wynde Johis Rayner sen Willi Perte Johis Austyne 
alias Augustyne Rici Lorde Agnetis Robynson vidue 
Nich Peerson Roberti Balam Generosi Willi Thomason 
Willi Chadwell Willi Dryver Johis Tego jun Willi 
Bryan Generos Thome Toke Simonis Trone Johis 
Fyn alias Fyne Thome Palmer Thome Pyckarde 
Johis Sheparde Edwardi Wilkes et Henrici Good- 
ricke Armigeri seu eorum alicujus seu assign 
eor alicujus necnon Reversiones quascunque et 
singular premissor et cujus de parcelle ac redditus 
et annualia proficua quecumque reservat super qui- 
buscunq dimissionib et concessionib fact de Premissis 
seu de aliqua inde parcell quequidem Mesuagia ac 
cetera Premissa nuper pertinebant seu spectabant 
Fraternitatis sive Gilde See Trinitatis in Wysbyce 
predicta et ad manus nros nuper inter alia devenerunt 
et devenire debuerunt virtute cujusdam Actus Par- 
liamenti anno regni nri primo inde inter alia edit et 
provis et que quidem Mesuagia ac cetera Premissa 
cum suis pertinen modo extenduntur ad clarum annuu 
valor viginti octo libr trio solidorum duorum de- 
nariorum et unius oboli habendum et tenendum 


WISBECH. 


179 


and Parishes of Wysbyche, Leverington, Newton, and 
Elm, in the said County of Cambridge, and in Tyde St. 
Mary’s, in our County of Lincoln, and in Emnethe, West 
Walton, and Walpole, in the Country of Marshland, in 
our County of Norfolk, which are or late were in the 
separate tenures or occupations of Thomas Drabbe, 
Martin Person, Thomas Tooke, William Salabanke, John 
Martinson, Robert Tego, Thomas Crosse, John Prokter, 
Robert Scortred, Alan Jekyn, Edward Archure, John 
Knight, Hamon Adam alias Stephynson, Ralph Rich¬ 
ardson, Richard Dodyng, Paul Appuliarde alias Applyarde, 
Agnes Warner, Robert Osbourne, Katherine Wynde, 
John Rayner, senior, William Perte, John Austyne alias 
Augustyne, Richard Lorde, Agnes Robynson, widow, 
Nicholas Peerson, Robert Balam, Gentleman, William 
Thomason, William Chadwell, William Dryver, John 
Tego, junior, William Bryan, Gentleman, Thomas Toke, 
Simon Trone, John Fyn alias Fyne, Thomas Palmer, 
Thomas Pyckarde, John Sheparde, Edward Wilkes, and 
Henry Goodrick, Esquire, or any of them, or any of their 
assigns; also all Reversions whatsoever of all and sin¬ 
gular the Premises, or any parcel thereof, and the Rents 
and annual Profits whatsoever, reserved upon any demises 
and grants made of the Premises, or of any parcel thereof, 
which said Messuages and other Premises lately belonged 
or appertained to the Fraternity or Guild of the Holy 
Trinity of Wysbyche aforesaid, and to our hands lately 
amongst other things came, and ought to come, by virtue 
of a certain Act of Parliament in the first year of our 
reign on that occasion, amongst other things declared 
and provided ; and which said Messuages and other 
Premises, with their appurtenances, are now extended to 
the clear annual value of twenty-eight pounds, three 
shillings, and twopence farthing to have and to hold 

* See Schedule of Possessions, page 169. 

M 2 


180 


HISTORY OF 


omnia et singular predict Mesuagia Terras Tenementa 
Prata Pascua Pasturas et cetera Hereditamenta ac 
alia Premissa cum pertinent prefat inhabitantib 
predict Ville de Wysbyche et successoribus nris 
impptm ad propriu opus et usum eorum inhab- 
itantiu et successor suor impptm tenend de nob 
hered et successorib nris ut de Manerio nostro 
de Estegrenewyche in Com nro Kane in socagio 
et non in capite videlt per fedelitatem tantum pro 
omnib serviciis reddit et demand quibuscumq Ac 
etiam de gratia nra speciali ac de avisamento pre- 
dicto damus et concedimus pfatis inhabitantib predict 
Ville omnia Exitus Revencoes et Proficua omn pre- 
dicor Messuagiorum Terrar Tenementar et ceteror Here- 
ditamentor a festo Sci Michis ult preterit hucusq 
provenien sive crescen per manus tenen et occupator 
eorum solvend Hend eisdem inhabitantib ex dono nro 
speciali absque compoto seu aliquo alio proinde nob 
aut hered nris reddend solvend vel faciend Et ulterius 
volumus ac per presentes pro nob hered et suc¬ 
cessorib nris concedimus prefatis inhabitantib pdee 
Ville de Wysbyche qd inhabitantes dee Ville familiam 
ibidem foventes aut tot eor qui voluerint in primo 
die Novembr qui erit in anno dni millimo quingen- 
tissimo quinquagesimo licite et impune convenire 
possint in quadam domo scituat in pdea Ville de 
Wysbyche vulgariter vocat the Comon Hall ac 
ibidem per seipsos et maiorum numeror eor dem 
inhabitanciu dca Ville familiam ibidem foventes 
ac tunc presentes in eadem domo noiare et 
eligere decern viror de meliorib probiorib et 
magis discrecionib inhabitant infra diet Viliam de 
Wysbyche ac familiam ibidem foven ad intencoem 


WISBECH, 


181 


all and singular the said Messuages, Lands, Tenements, 
Meadows, Feedings, Pastures, and other Hereditaments, 
and all other the Premises, with the appurtenances, to the 
said inhabitants of the said Town of Wysbyche, and to 
their successors for ever, to the proper use and behoof 
of the said inhabitants and their successors for ever, to 
be holden of us, our heirs and successors, as of our Manor 
of East Greenwich, in our County of Kent, in socage, 
and not in capite, viz. by fealty only, instead of all 
services, rents, and demands whatsoever; and also we 
have of our special grace, and by the advice aforesaid, 
given and granted to the said inhabitants of the said 
Town, all Issues, Revenues, and Profits of all the said 
Messuages, Lands, Tenements, and other Hereditaments, 
from the feast of St. Michael last past, howsoever pro¬ 
ceeding or accruing, by the hands of the tenants and 
occupiers thereof to be paid, to be holden to the said in¬ 
habitants of our special gift, without any reckoning or any 
other thing from henceforth to us or our heirs to be ren¬ 
dered, paid, or done ; And further we will, and by these 
presents, for us, our heirs and successors, have granted to 
the said inhabitants of the said Town of Wysbyche, that 
the inhabitants of the said Town there maintaining a 
household, or so many of them as shall be willing, on the 
first day of November which will be in the year of our 
Lord one thousand five hundred and fifty, lawfully and 
without damage, may assemble in a certain house in the 
said Town of Wysbyche, commonly called the Common 
Hall, and there, by themselves or the major number of 
them the said inhabitants of the said Town there main¬ 
taining a household, and then present in the said house, to 
nominate and choose ten men of the better, more honest, 
and more discreet inhabitants within the said Town of 
Wysbyche, and there maintaining a family, to the intent 


/ 


HISTORY OF 


et propositum qd iidem decern viri sic noi et 
electi ac supervivent eor deinde in tempore in 
tempus usq primu diem Novembris qui erit in anno 
dni millimo quinquengesimo quinquagesimo hebunt 
plenariu potestatem et auctoritatem concedend et 
dimittend ad firmam pro inhabitantib dee Ville ac 
in noibs inhabitanciu ejusdem Ville per indenturas 
sive indenturam unam partem inde sigilland et Sigillo 
Coe inhabitanciu dee Ville Maneria Terras Tene- 
menta et cetera Hereditamenta inhabitanciu diet 
Ville vel aliquas parcellas sive parcellam inde ad 
eor libitum pro termino viginti annor vel pro 
minori numero annor ac reservend super qualibet tali 
concessione et dimissione antiquum redditum inde 
vel plus Ac ad consentione pro oib inhabitantib dee 
Ville pro talibus concessionib et dimissionib infra diet 
tempus fiend necnon a pdeo primo die Novembr 
pdeo anno dni millimo quingentisimo quinquagesimo 
usq prim diem Novemb in pdeo anno dni 

millimo quingentisimo quinquagesimo primo hend 
curam et administracoem omn Manerior Terrar 

Tenementor et ceteror Hereditamentor pdcor inhab¬ 
itants ac rerum et negociorum suor quoscumq 
Ac etiam per idem tempus reparand supvidend 
et gubernand Maneria Tesrar Tenementa et 
cetera Hereditamenta ad coem utilitatem pdictor 
inhabitanciu 


WISBECH. 


183 


and purpose that the said ten men so nominated and 
elected, and the survivors of them hereafter from time 
to time, until the first day of November which will be in 
the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and fifty, 
shall have full power and authority to grant and let to 
farm for the inhabitants of the said Town, in the names 
of the inhabitants of the said Town, by indentures or 
indenture, one part thereof to be sealed with the Common 
Seal of the inhabitants of the Town aforesaid, the Manors, 
Lands, Tenements, and other Hereditaments of the in¬ 
habitants of the said Town, or any parcels or parcel 
thereof, at their pleasure, for the term of twenty years, or 
for a less number of years, and to reserve upon every 
such grant and demise the old rent or more, and to consent 
for all the inhabitants of the said town, for such grants 
and demises within the said time to be made; also from 
the aforesaid first day of November in the aforesaid year 
of our Lord one thousand five hundred and fifty, until 
the first day of November in the year of our Lord one 
thousand five hundred and fifty one, to have the care 
and administration of all the Manors, Lands, Tenements, 
and other Hereditaments of the aforesaid inhabitants, 
and of their matters and affairs whatsoever; and also 
during the same time to repair, overlook, and manage 
the Manors, Lands, Tenements, and other Hereditaments, 
for the common benefit of the said inhabitants. 

Then follow certain clauses, empowering the inhabitants, 
maintaining a family, to meet on the first of November, 
to elect ten men maintaining families, who, being so 
elected, are to have authority to let to farm, by in¬ 
denture, for twenty or a less number of years, the lands 
and hereditaments before mentioned, for the inhabitants 
of the said town, and in their names; and who are to 


184 


HISTORY OF 


have the care and administration of all such lands and 
of their affairs, and to manage them for the common 
benefit of the inhabitants : such ten, on being elected, 
not to remain, unless within one year after being elected, 
they shall be elected anew ; — with license for the in¬ 
habitants to acquire and enjoy other messuages, &c. to 
the value of £100. or under the same value; to implead in 
any action, and to lease, grant, sell, and exchange such 
lands. And for the good government and administration 
of the lands, the ten men are empowered to meet and 
summon so many and such of the more discreet and 
honest men there maintaining families, for the purpose 
of consulting about their matters and affairs touching 
the public good ; with a clause, that a schoolmaster, 
with a salary of £ 12. should be provided,—the bishop 
of Ely to be visitor; and a direction that the said in¬ 
habitants, and their successors, should distribute amongst 
the poor annually £3. 15s. and maintain such and the 
like sea shores, banks, and streams, as the guardians and 
brethren of the late guild ought and were accustomed to 
do. Henry Goodrick, Richard Everard, Esquires, and 
eight others, are then nominated to be the first ten 
to execute all matters tp the first day of November 
1550 ;—with the following conclusion : 

* 

Volumus etiam pro consideracoe predict ac de 
avisamento pdeo per presentes concedimus pfatis 
inhabitantib pdee Ville de Wysbyche qd heant 
et hebunt has Lras nras Patentes sub magno 
Sigillo nro Anglie debito modo fact et sigillat 
absq fine seu feodo magnp vel parvo nob in 
Hanaperio nostro seu alibi ad usum nrm quoque 
modo reddend solvend vel faciend Eo qd expressa 
tiuncio de vero valore annuo aut de certitudine 


WISBECH. 


185 


/ 


We will also, for the consideration aforesaid, and by 
the advice aforesaid by these presents have granted to 
the said inhabitants of the aforesaid Town of Wysbyche, 
that they may and shall have these our Letters Patent, 
under our Great Seal of England, in the appointed manner 
made and sealed, without fine or fee, great or small, to 
us in our Exchequer, or elsewhere, to our use in any 
manner to be rendered, paid, or done, so that express 
mention of the true annual value, or of the certainty of 


186 


HISTORY OF 


Premissorum sive eorum alicujus aut de aliis donis 
sive concessionib per nos vel per aliquom progenitor 
prox prefatis inhabitantib pdce Ville de Wysbyche 
aut hec tempora fact in presentib minime fact 
existit aliquo statuto actu ordinacoe provisione sive 
restriccoe inde in contrarium fact edit ordinat sive 
provis aut aliqua alia re causa vel materia quacumq 
in aliquo non obstat In cujus rei testimonium has 
Lras nras fieri fecimus Patentes Testo nro ipo 
apud Westmonasterium primo die Junii anno Rni 
nri tertio 

Per ipm Regem 

CONTHWETT 










- ' ■ ■ x n rt no : r so 









, 



















. 



















•• 



-- 










. 



















, 




































































"3 O', £*■ 


Wysbeche, in the Isle of Ely, 
the County of Cambridge. 
(1547.) 


in} A Schedule of the Possessions which fell into the hands of our Lord 
$ King Edward VI. by the grace of God, &c. by reason of certain Acts 
of Parliament begun at Westminster on the 4th November, in the first 
year of his reign. 


No. 


Where situated. 


Consisting of 


Messuages. | Gardens. 


Wisbech in the fields. 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 

-in Flatmore .... 

Wisbech in the fields 

Ditto . 

Ditto .. 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 

Ditto ... 

Ditto . 

-in Bridgecroft • • 

Ditto . 

-in the fields ... . 

Ditto . 

In free socage . 


Guild of the Holy "V 
Trinity of the town f 
of Wysbyche afore- ^ 


said 

In free socage .. 

Wisbech, in the town 


Leveriagton . 
In free socage 
In the fields 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 

Ditto . 


Newton, and a moi- T 
ety of a fishing gate * 
in free socage.... j 

Tidd. 

Elm . 

Emnetli. 

Walton. 


Walpole, in free socage 

In the field . 

Ditto . 


Quantity. 

Rent per 

Value to 


In separate 


annum 

• 

purchase. 

In whose tenure. 

Parcels. 


£■ 

s. 

d. 

£■ 

s. d. 


SO 



S3 

0 



Thomas Drabbe 

4 



8 

0 



Martyn Pierson 

ii 



16 

0 



Thomas Tooke 

3 



5 

0 



William Sallabank 

n 



4 

2 



John Martynson 

8 



11 

8 



Robert Tego 

50 



43 

4 



Thomas Cross 

8 



17 

8 



John Procter 

19£ 



31 

0 



Robert Skotred 

7 



10 

0 



Alan Jekin 

11 



10 

0 



Edward Arthor 

28 



29 

4 



John Knight 

30 



48 

0 



H. Adam, alias Stephynson 

20 >- 



44 

0 



Radolph Kychardson 

10 



20 

0 



William Sallabank 

4 



4 

0 



Richard Doddynge 

14 



7 

0 



Paul Appleyard 

SOI 



22 

6 



Agnet Warner 

5 



12 

0 



Robert Osborne 

n 



6 

0 



Catherine Wynd 




4 

1* 



John Reyner, senior 




13 

4 



W illiam Peyrte 

10 



7 

2 



William Peyrte 

n 

.) 



4 

1 



John Martynson 

9 



8 

0 



John Austen 

10 



20 

0 



Richard Lorde 

1§ 



2 

8 



Agnet Robynson 

18 



32 

4 



Nicholas Pierson 

6 



11 

5 



Robert Bailam 




10 

0 



Thomas Drabbe 



S3 

2 

X 1 

462 

9 2 

. At 20 years’ purchase. 


3491 









1 

3 

4 

11 

13 4 

. At 10 years’ purchase. 




4 

4 



William Chandwell 

36 


O 

•V 

15 

0 



William Thompson 

21 



16 

0 



William Chandwell 

2 

14 



14 

0 



Ditto 



O 

.> 

4 

0 



John Tegoe, junior 

8 



14 

0 



William Bryon, Gent. 

131 

1,7 2 


1 

<■> 

«3 

0 



Thomas Tooke 



9 

6 

0 

186 

0 0 . 

. At 20 years’ purchase. 


127 









0 

4 

4 

2 

3 4 . 

. At 10 years’ purchase. 

73. 

* 4 



4 

0 



Simon Trone 

6 



16 

8 



John Fynn 




6 

0 



Thomas Palmer 

40 


3 

19 

8 



Thomas Pyckarde 

9 


1 

0 

0 



John Shepherd 


69| 

6 

6 

4 

126 

6 8 

. At 20 years’ purchase. 




13 

4 



Edward Wylkes 



3 

10 

0 



Henry Goodericke 

30 


2 

10 

0 



Edward Wylkes 



6 

0 

0 

120 

0 0 

.. At 20 years’ purchase. 


70 

0 

13 

4 

6 

13 4 

,. At 10 years’ purchase. 













































































































WISBECH. 


187 


the Premises, or any of them, or from any other gifts 
or grants by us, or by any our next progenitors to the 
aforesaid inhabitants of the said Town of Wysbyche, 
before these times made, in these presents be not made 
by any statute, act, ordinance, provision, or restriction, 
to the contrary thereof made, set forth, ordained, or 
provided, or any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever 
in any wise notwithstanding: — In testimony whereof 
we have caused these our Letters to be made Patent. 
Witness ourself at Westminster, the first day of June, 
in the third year of our Reign. 

By the same King, 

CONTHWETT. 


/ 

/ 

Proceedings of the Body Corporate after the Grant of 
Edward the Sixth’s Charter . 

By this charter, the inhabitants of Wisbech are de¬ 
clared to be in substance, deed, and name, One Body , 
incorporated by the name of “ The Inhabitants of the 
“ Town of Wisbechf’ within the isle of Ely, in the 
county of Cambridge; by which style they were to have 
perpetual succession, with a common seal, and power 
for the inhabitants to enjoy in perpetuity the real estates 
in the letters patent expressed. And a grant of confir¬ 
mation was thereupon made to the inhabitants, of the 
estates comprised in the aforesaid schedule,* lying in 
Wisbech, Leverington, Newton, and Elm, in the county 
of Cambridge; Tid St. Mary, in the county of Lincoln, 


* See page 169. 



HISTORY OF 


and Emneth, Walton, and Walpole, in the county of 
Norfolk. A school was directed to be maintained, with 
a salary to the master of £ 12 . and power to distribute 
amongst the poor annually for ever £ 3. 155. 

Bishop Gooderick’s friendly offices appear to have 
been exerted in favor of the inhabitants of Wisbech, 
not only in obtaining the re-grant of the possessions, 
but also the restoration of a portion of the plate and 
splendid ornaments heretofore accustomed to be used in 
the Romish worship, which were sold for the benefit 
of the town, as shewn by the following entry, and the 
money was disposed of for public purposes. 

a.d. Wisbech, in the Isle^Memorandum .—Sold by us, Robert 

1549. of Ely, 1549. 3 Stregytt and Thomas Butcher, 

churchwardens, Richard Everard, Esq. and sixteen other 
parishioners of the said towne of Wisbech, with the 
consent of all the residue of the same parishioners, at 
London, to two goldsmiths, the parcels of plate as 
follows: 


OUNCES. 


First, a Cross of Silver-gilt 
It. A Pyke of Silver, parcel-gilt 

A Pair of Saucers, Silver . 

Sheppi of Silver, parcel-gilt 
A Chalice . 



A Pipe of Silver for the Cross Staffe 20 


oz. 192 


Which sold for 45 . 8 d. per ounce, amounting to £44* 
I 65 .; this sum, with much more money, was em¬ 
ployed as followeth: 








WISBECH. 


189 


£. s, d. 

Paid for costs and charges of thirty-seven 

men sent to Lynne to serve the king’s i 

majesty in his affayres against the\. 03 93 

rebels in Norfolk # , for their coats,. 

doublets, boots, and other their apparel, 

with 65. 8 d . every of them in their purses. 

Paid for making of the gowte and sluice at the~l 

little Eau, with brick, timber, and work-> 10 11 0 

manship . j 

Paid for certain reparations done upon the \ 4 5 0 

Church . S 

Paid for lead, timber and workmanship of the \ 434 

cross in the Market Place .* 

Paid for paving of the Market Place, and for 7 jy go 

rag stone, sand, and workmanship . $ 

Paid for making of a bank and sluice to keep 

out the salt water from surrounding ourt _ , . 

& > 9 14 4 

common fens, and for the preservation of 1 
the fresh water for our cattle ... 


£74 5 6 


Payments exceed the receipts £29. 9s. 6 d. as tes¬ 
tified by Richard Everard and nine other parishioners. 


* This was in the time of the rebellion of the two Ketts, Robert and 
William, at Norwich. The first occasion of it was, because divers lords 
and gentlemen, who were possessed of abbey lands and other large com¬ 
mons and waste grounds, had caused many of those commons and wastes to 
be inclosed, whereby the poor and indigent people were much offended. 
The rebels under the Ketts had a camp at Norwich, and a lesser one at 
Rising Chase, and had at one time increased to 20,000 men, but were at 









190 


HISTORY OF 


It may be generally supposed that the first acts of the 
corporate body would have been preserved with more 
than ordinary care, but there is an unaccountable silence 
for fifteen years. This may indeed have proceeded from 
some subsequent loss of the records; the real cause, 
however, must now be left to conjecture. 

Within this space of time entries are made of certain 
letters from the queen’s majesty, as well as from bishop 
Cox # , the quaintness in language of the latter may 
probably afford amusement. We shall commence with the 
notice of a letter of queen Elizabeth, directed to John 
Gallant, the bailiff of Wisbech, and all other the bishop’s 
tenants resident within Wisbech hundred, dated 12th May 
1561. After reciting that there were matters in variance 
between the queen’s tenants at Sutton, and the bishop of 
Elye, his tenants, — it orders that the inhabitants of 
Wisbech hundred, on pain of £ 500. should suffer the 
tenants of Sutton peaceably to occupy their common, 
and to have free egress and regress coming and going 
to the towne of Wisbeche, without interruption, until 
they prove themselves, before the chancellor, to have 
a good title to the premises in dispute. 

This seems to allude to some claim made by the 
bishop’s tenants within Wisbech hundred, to a right of 


length subdued by the earl of Warwick, (afterwards, upon the overthrow 
of Somerset, duke of Northumberland) though not without loss of many 
worthy persons, both gentlemen and some of the chief citizens of Norwich. 
In all 300 of the rebels were executed. The Ketts were carried to London, 
committed to the tower, arraigned of high treason, found guilty, and 
brought down to Norwich. Robert was there executed on the top of the 
castle, and William on the top of the steeple of Wymondham church. 
Blomejield , v. iii. p. 257. 

* He was also Chancellor of Oxford in the vcar 153'J. 

v 


WISBECH. 


191 


intercommoning with the inhabitants of Long Sutton,* in 
the county of Lincoln, and which the following note from 
‘ Prynn’s Abridgement of the Records in the Tower of 
London’ may in some degree elucidate. 

3d. Hen. VI. John Fordham, bishop of Ely, in affi¬ 
davit against John Baldward of Sutton and others, re¬ 
covered 4,000 acres of marsh in Wisbech.—It is enacted 
that the execution of the said recovery should stay unto a 
certain time, and that before the said time, there should be 
a perambulation made between the shires of Lincoln and 
Cambridge, by which, if it fell out that any of the premises 
were within the county of Lincoln, that then neither the 
said bishop, nor any of the tenants within Wisbech 
hundred, should claim any common or pasture, or any of 
the same found; and contrarily, that the said Baldward 
and other tenants of Sutton should claim no common in 
any of the premises found to be within the county of 
Cambridge. 

Bishop Cox's Better to his Tenants of Doddington and 

Marche then follows, 

I am sorry to hear that ye aresostoute, so disordered, a.d. 
and so lawless people, that neyther the order of me or my 1560 
counsell can stay you. I understand ye fall to your olde 
practyse, please yourselves in your own devices, go con- 
trarye to your own agreements, and pynne your neigh¬ 
bours cattle. Sithe ye be at yt poynte, I ensure what 


* Probably Wisbech fen and Sutton St. Edmund’s common, which adjoin 
each other. It is stated by Atkins, that there was a confirmation, by a final 
concord between the inhabitants of Sutton and the inhabitants of the 
hundred of Wisbech, for the division of Wisbech high fen, in the 5thEliz. 


192 


HISTORY OF 


the lawe will give me, that I intend to use roundly 
against you. Say not but ye have had wamynge. 
So fare ye well. From Downham * the 8th April. 

Your’s, 

R. Ely. 

To my Tenants at Doddington and Marche, 

The one which follows is from the same bishop, and 
relates to certain disputes relative to Norwood common. 

To my Tenants and Inhabitants of my Town of 
Doddington and March give these . 

a . d. I comende me unto you; whereas I pceyve upon complts 

1561. off the tenants and inhabitants of Wisbeche hundred, 
that you nowe lately without respecte or regarde unto 
such ordre as I and my counsell dyd take betweene you 
and them for the quyet using of their common in the 
common called Norwood, with theire beasts and cattle 
without let, disturbance or interupcon of you or any of 
them, until such time as upon the hearing of the matter 
between them and you, for the right and title thereof, 
further order should be taken according as to right sholde 
apptaine, by pvse counsel have distrayned there beasts 
and cattle co-trarie to my said ordre, whereby I do right 
well pceyve that you nether regarde me nor yet my doings 
in that behalf, wch I will not forget, as you may well 
assure yorself off. Therefore I will, and on our queens 
majestys behalf straightly charge you, and also your 
adherents, peaceably to prmit and suffer the said tenants 
and inhabitants of Wysbeche hundred to occupye and 
enjoye there said common without distrayning of there 


* The bishops of Ely had formerly a palace at Downham in the isle. 


WISBECH. 


193 


Cattle, or other disturbance to be made by you or any of 
you, in as ample manner as they heretofore have liadd at 
any time within this twenty yeare last past, as you will 
avoyde the further displeasure that hereafter may ensuue 
doing the contrarie. Thus fare ye well. From my house at 
London the 4th day of April 1561. Ao 4to Dne Rne Eliz. 

Richard Ely. 


There is a will also amongst the corporation records, 
affording a striking picture of the superstition of the 
times, which is entered in the appendix to this work. 


After a lapse of fifteen years, the following record a.d. 
occurs: Memorandum, that on the 1st of November 1564. 
1564, (6th queen Elizabeth) the greater number of the 
inhabitants of the town of Wisbech elected and nomi¬ 
nated ten men, of the more honest, within the town 
aforesaid, maintaining a household, for the good govern¬ 
ment and order of all the lands and tenements belonging 
and appertaining to the town of Wisbech aforesaid, and 
being a body corporate, by virtue of letters patent from 
the late lord king Edward VI. granted, for the future 
year, viz. to the 1st of November next following: 


Richard Everard, Esq. 
Robert Scotred. 

Robert Best. 

Edward Wilkes. 
Edward Storeye. 


Thomas Butcher, Carpr. 
William Bay. 

Nicholas Mychell. 
Alexander Coxon. 

Henry Markham. 


On the following day (2d November) the ten men met 
in common hall, and chose Richard Best (not named 
amongst the ten) to be Baletj, for the receipt of all rents of 
the lands and tenements belonging to the body corporate 

N 


194 


HISTORY OF 


of the Town of Wysbech for the year to come, with 
direction that he was to lay out no money without the 
consent of the ten men, and he was to have a salary of 
£1. 65. 8d. Mr. Rastall, schoolmaster, was to have 
for his stipend £13. 6s. 8d. One Humphrey Turner 
was to have £ 3. 65. 8d. for a stipend for singing and 
maintaining God’s service in the church for his year, 
and to do his duty as before. Two other small stipends 
were also granted. One Philip Wright was appointed 
to be the waytt of the town, and to have £ 1. 13s. 4 d. 
and a scavenger # was appointed for the Market Stede, 
the Corn Market, and Deadman Lane, and to have 10s. 
and to “collect and gather the devotion” of the inhabitants 
besides. Edward Wilkes was to be the clerk or register 
of the baley’s accounts, with a fee of 10s. per annum. 
The record concludes with the following order : 

Itm. We will and ordeyne, according to the tenor 
of the king’s letters patent, that none be chosen to be 
of the tenne, but such as be most discreyt, sobre, and 
most substancyall men, inhabitying within the said 
town; and such as kepeth hospitalytye, and may 
dispende by theire fre lands or tenements lying within 
the said town 40s. by the year, over and above all 
charges. 

Richard Best is then stated to have passed his accounts 
before the ten men and other inhabitants of the town. 

After which is a “ kalendar ” of the leases, and an 
inventory of the implements belonging to the body 




* This is the first notice of the appointment of scavenger. 


WISBECH. 


195 


corporate, remaining in the town hall chamber, and 
delivered to Richard Best, the baley, for safe keeping, 
viz. 


Pewter dishes and platters, in all twenty-eight pieces. 

Three long spytts for the kitchen chimney. 

A corslet complete. 

One halman ryoyt, viz. the breast and backe. 

One coat of playt and four jackets. 

One bow, and half a sheaf of arrows with cayse for 
them. 

Four bylls and a skulle. 

Eight sydes of windows, late standing in the hall 
windows. 

It seems that ten men, agreeably to the charter, were 
annually elected on 2d November, and the vicar and 
schoolmaster, with several other of the respectable 
inhabitants, were generally added to that number, who 
met on the first Tuesday in every month, to hear and 
settle all disputes amongst their neighbours, and after¬ 
wards dined together, sometimes at one house and 
sometimes at another, at a moderate stipulated expense. 

The compact by which they bound themselves to meet, 
and the amiable purpose and object of their meeting, 
are thus recorded : 

Wisbyclie infrainsul. ^Anno nono dne nre Regine. a.d. 

Elien. iti com. Camb. ^This boke mayd the 11th Novr. 1567. 
Ao. pd by the advisse and consent of the tenne men of 
the body corporate of the towne of Wisbyche aforesaid, 
and of divers other worshipful and of the best and most 
discrete, sobre, and wisest honest men of the same towne, 

n 2 


196 


HISTORY OF 


to the honor, laude and prayse of Almighty God. And 
for the good government of the com’nwealth of the said 
towne.. And also for the avoiding of stryffe, contencon 
and debate bet ptye and ptye, and for the encrease of 
love, amitye and frendshippe, to be had and continued 
at all times hereafter bet the inhabitants afsd, according 
to the grant made unto the aforesd tenne men and other, 
at the suyte and request of the reverend father in God, 
Thomas Goodericke, late bishop of Ely, by the late 
king of most famous memorie, king Edward 6th, whose 
soule God preserve, for the onely encrease of love , amitie 
and concord , to he had and continued amongst theforesaid 
inhabitants of Wisbyche hereafter. —It is concluded, con¬ 
descended and fullye agrede by the tenne men of the 
foresaid towne, with the advice of the others of the 
inhabytants of the same towne, that they, and other 
whose names be hereunder written, shall assemble and 
meet together in the common hall of the same towne 
every monthe during one whole year, for the only 
intent and purpose above declared. And to dyne 
together at such place as shall be agreed upon by consent, 
and to pay for theire dinners every person four-pence 
and no more, and that he yt is absent to pay four-pence 
for his dinner as yff he w ere present. In witness whereof 
these persons, whose names be hereunder written, for the 
corroberacon of this good and godly order, have set theire 
hands the day and yeare first above written. Then 
follow the signatures of Mr. Hugh Margesson, vicar, the 
tenne men, the schoolmaster, and about twenty other 
persons. 

On their decision of any matter in dispute, it is usually 
entered thus : 


Anno nono Rne Eliz. \ The assemble and metynge of the tenne men of the body corporate of the 
Wisbyche Town. $ said town of Wisbyche, and other of the best, sobre, and most discrete men 
of the same towne, in the common hall of the said towne, according to the grant of the king's 
majestye letters patent of king Edward Vlth. of most famous memorye, the 25th day of Febry, 
Ao. nono. Eliz. for the intent only in this book declared, &c. And also by consent to dyne 


WISBECH. 


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198 


HISTORY OF 


Meetings of this nature continued in the town for 
twelve years, during which period we may presume the ten 
men were held in no little degree of respect, by the 
deference at all times paid to the judgment of the 
referees, which in no. instance appears to have been 
disputed. On occasions when there were no differences 
to adjust, the entry was ‘ Oia bene et quiet laudes Deo/ 
All matters well and in quietness, thanks be to God. 

a . i). In this year an order was made, that if any person who 

1569. had agreed to assemble every month should be absent, 
and not pay four-pence for his dinner, the bailiff of the 
town lands should pay it, who should have it again 
allowed, and the defaulter to be crossed out of the book, 
and never after received into the company, although he 
desire to be received afterward again. 

1576. About the year 1576, the ten men and inhabitants 
began to extend their duties, by placing out poor children 
apprentices, and even made orders for raising certain 
acre shots and payments of country taxes. They 
also advanced small sums of money under twenty 
shillings, by way of loan, to poor persons. Various 
sums are mentioned to be paid for curing 1 skaulde heads * 
of boys, and for keeping orphan children. And all 
orders now made are stated to be by the consent of 
the ten men, ‘ with the advice of Mr. Vycar and others 
of the copanye/ 

1578. About two years after, it was agreed that Mr. Colvyle 
should be moved to come to Wisbeche, as well for the 
discharge of the suite of the high fen, # as for dyking 

v - . • i \ ** 

* See page 156. 




WISBECH. 


199 


the river. And a bill was agreed to be made of an 
acre shot of two-pence the acre, for the lands in Elm, 
for the dykereeves to collect, for the fynishing up of the 
goole into Marshland. 

Certain orders were likewise agreed upon by the tenne 
men, with consent of the justices of the peace, respecting 
the s’vyce of the queen’s majesty with lambes and calves, 
under the statute of purveyance. Purveyances being 
afterwards found to be attended with grievances to the 
subject, the same were taken away by statute 12th 
Charles II. c. 24. But whilst that statute existed, every 
person within the towne paid towards the queen’s 
provision for calves, lambs, &c. in manner following : 

For every kowe, 1 ob. Every20wethers, 1 penny. 

Every 20 ewes, 2 pence. Every swine, 1 ob. being 

above a quarter old. 

In lapse of time, relaxation took place in punctual a.d. 
attendance, so that it became again necessary to enforce 1583. 
the order of 1569, by a stronger measure; and it was 
agreed that every Tuesday monthly, until 1st Novr. then 
next, the tenne men for the year elected should meet at 
the town hall, and if any were absent, he should pay 
four-pence, and should continue during such tyme as 
any business occurred for the towne, or appeasing -1 of 
controversies amongst neighbours, and be in conference 
all the day , upon payne of departing, every person of the 
tenne, without licence of the rest, four-pence for every 
default. And if he came an hour after eight in the 
morning, * if any of the tenne, to pay two-pence 

* If the reader is curious to know the hours of meals in queen Elizabeth s 
time, he may learn them in King’s Archaeologia, vol. 6. “ With us, the 



200 


HISTORY OF 


towards charge of the house and expenses. In this same 
year it is stated that the company and laborers began to 
work upon the great bridge, and three of the ten men 
were appointed to go to St. Ives to view that bridge. 
A matter also is brought before the corporation respect¬ 
ing “ the rode of fre land nye the windmill # in East 
“ Field,” but no adjudication is made. About this time 
the corporate body, in addition to their other obliga¬ 
tions, began to take upon themselves the duty of acting 
as trustees in cases of donations and bequests of 
charitably disposed persons, whose benefactions are here 
enumerated, and directions given for their disposal 
as under : 

£. s. d. 

Acct of money bestowed on the poore, Tot. 48 18 9 
Out of town stock . 11 17 0 


£60 15 9 


a.d. The capital burgesses also took under their direction 
1585. the churchwardens’ accounts, collections for the poor, &c. 
though subject to the justices’ revision and final 
allowance. 


“ nobility, gentry, and students do ordinarily go to dinner at eleven before 
“ noon, and to supper at five or bet. five and six at afternoon. The merchants 
“ dine and sup seldom bef. twelve at noon, and six at night, especially in 
London. Husbandmen dine also at high noon, as they call it, and sup at seven 
4 “ or eight; but out of the term in our universities, the scholars dine at ten.” 
Froissart mentions waiting on the duke of Lancaster at five o’clock in the 
afternoon, when he had supped. “ And when Joseph saw Benjamin with 
“ them, he said, bring these men home, for they shall dine with me at 
“ noon.” Gen. xliii. 16. The Anglo Saxon meal was made just before sunset j 
hot meats were provided. 

* Windmills were introduced into France and England about 1040. 





WISBECH. 


201 


Guyhirne, a hamlet of Wisbech, about six miles from 
the town, at this period began to be visited with sickness, 
supposed to be the plague, and an assessment was 
ordered to be made for six weeks, to be paid to the 
poore of Guyhirne, and the sum of £4. 1 os. 5d. was 
accordingly raised and expended. 

The public attention was called to the general clean¬ 
sing of the streets and channels of the town in this year, 
•probably with a view to the prevention of disease. 

The suspicion of the nature of the sickness at 
Guyhirn seems to have been too well founded, and no 
time was lost in adopting cautionary measures to prevent 
its extension, and to guard against the admission 
of all persons and goods into the town without due 
vigilance. A meeting also took place of the ten men 
of the body corporate in common hall assembled on 
28th April, in especial relation to this woeful calamity, 
when it was thought proper to divide the town into 
ten wards, placing one of the ten men as superintendant 
over each ward. The wards, as then set out, were as 
follow: 


/ 


Swillinghurne is a field beyond Oldfield, and leading to New Common Bridge. t This pond was filled up in the year 1669. 

| Where Mr. Girdlestone’s house now stands, in the street now called Ship Street or Hill Street. 


202 


HISTORY OF 



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WISBECH. 


203 


! hese wards may be thus reconciled with the state of" 
the town in 1826. 

Fimbre Ward. It extended from the beginning of 

the town, at or near New Common 
bridge, to the south end of the church 
yard, and certain almshouses, # the 
site of which cannot now be exactly 
ascertained : this ward seems to have 
embraced the whole space from New 
Common bridge to the end of Timber 
Market^ on the east side. 

Church Ward. The almshouses here mentioned ap¬ 
pear to be those on the north side of 
the church, as well as those which 
formerly stood on the south side (now 
pulled down). The castle dyke (forty 
feet wide) was intended to protect 
the castle next the town : this ward, 
therefore, comprised the south-west 
side of the Market Place to the 
castle gate. 


* Hawkins’ almshouses were not huilt until 1633. 

t Timber Market is a portion of the towu lying at the east end of the 
church, formerly embracing the whole space from the boys’ charity school 
to the Downham road ; and when the waters of the Ouse emptied them¬ 
selves into the north sea beyond Wisbech, this spot constituted the bank 
of the Ouse, and was anciently allotted for the depositing of timber until 
sale was made thereof, from whence it obtained the name of the Timber 
Market, by which it is still most generally known, and as long as it continues 
so to be, carries with it in some degree the records of the ancient boundary 
of the river, over which there was a ferry, which circumstance is preserved 
in the name of the public house there situate, called the Ferry House. 


204 


HISTORY OF 


Castle Ward. The castle gate in the west front 

was contiguous to a drawbridge* 
over the moat in that quarter, 
and stood about the end of the 
present York Row, near Mr. Cleeve’s : 
this ward, therefore, comprised all the 
dwellings on the north side of Dead- 
man’s Lane round by the vicarage, 
taking in the west side of Timber 
Market to Swillinghurn Field, which 
lies beyond Tillery Field, leading to 
New Common bridge. 


SoutliWard. This is sufficiently expressive of all 

the houses on the south brink. 

Rerton Ward. The like on the north brink. 


White Cross Ward. There is an open space on the north 

brink called the Low, where formerly 
a cross stood, called White Cross: 
this ward, therefore, comprised the 
extent along Pickard’s Lane to an 
ancient pond in the Old Market, 
with all the western and northern 
sides thereof. 

Old Market Ward. All the east side of the Old Market 

as far as the bridge. 

Shippe Lane Ward. This extended from the bridge along 

the wharfe or quay by the river, turning 


* See page 124, and also note, page 130. 


WJSBECII. 


205 


round at the end of the street oppo¬ 
site to the Bell corner, and terminat¬ 
ing at the old grammar school and 
town hall in Ship Lane. 

New Market Ward. The rest of Ship Lane, the new 

Market Place, and the houses on the 
north side of High Street in a line 
with the Rose inn, turning round 
the corner, past the new town hall 
to the bridge. 

Richard Best’s house, as well as the 
large market booths, are unknown ; 
but this ward seems to have com¬ 
prised the ground from about the 
opening near the Wheat Sheaf inn, 
past the boys’ school and Church 
Lane, to the mill hill where Mr. 
Girdlestone’s house now stands, at 
the east end of Ship or Hill Street. 

These precautions, salutary and laudable as they were, a. d. 
did not prevent the calamity in the neighbourhood from 1586. 
reaching the town, and the effects of the disease soon 
proved it to be the plague. 

One of the most terrific qualities of the plague is its 
mystery ; the commencement, progress, and termination 
of it are all marked by uncertainty. The last and direst 
visitation, with which this country was afflicted, was that 
of the metropolis, whence it spread far and wide, in 1665 
and 1666 . It is impossible to read De Foe’s Narrative, 


Mill Ward. 


206 


HISTORY OF 


without feelings of horror and alarm. According to the 
lowest computation, 68,596 persons are said to have 
been carried off by this sore visitation. 

This contagion is supposed to have been imported into 
the western parts of Europe at the time of the Crusades, 
and after that period our own country had for many 
centuries her full share of its terrible inflictions. Many 
imagine that the plague has often been in London since 
1666, but that from the improved cleanliness of our 
metropolis, it has never assumed a more formidable 
appearance than that of contagious fever. Erasmus 
ascribed the frequent plagues of England to slovenly 
habits. At this day, however, we have established a 
claim to the virtue of cleanliness, which, although formerly 
it might be held in little estimation, is, by the progress of 
civilization, become an honourable feature in our 
national character. The last instance of contagion of 
plague in any quarter subject to our government occurred 
at Malta, in 1813, when an interesting volume on the 
subject was published by Mr. Tully, surgeon of the 
king’s forces. 

In the time of the visitation, which, in the year 1586—7, 
unhappily extended to Wisbech, the corporate body, 
who had already divided the town into ten wards, used 
the utmost vigilance to restrain the direful disorder. 
A list of these wards was directed to be published, and 
the names of all strangers resorting within any of those 
districts were particularly noted, and the following 
proceedings and orders took place thereupon. 

i 

The names of all non-residents who came into the town, 
and especially of such as entered surreptitiously, were 


% 


WISBECH. 


207 


immediately reported to the ten men ; and they, under the 
direction of the magistrates, appointed governors, who 
held regular meetings, and made peremptory orders for 
the conduct of all persons suspected of sickness, whether 
they should be allowed to go abroad, or be confined to 
their houses. They likewise appointed a place where 
persons supposed to be infected should be kept, confining 
them to that peculiar district, and debarring them from 
communication with any other part of the town.* 

This place was called Berton. 

In September 1587, further orders were issued by a.d. 
the governors, that one Edward Wright, who had abused 1587. 
the towne in casting filthy clothes into the little river, to 
the annoyance of the inhabitants, and evyl example of all 
others, should be sent to the house of correction until re¬ 
leased by four of the governors. 

Money was delivered to the town baley to be distri¬ 
buted to the poor and infected in each of the wards. It 
being known that one Godfrey Smith, contrary to the 
justices’ orders, and to the damage of his neighbours, 
had gone to Berton into a house amongst the infected, and 
since had gone abroad, being warned by the governors, 
and had refused to obey good orders; he was to be im¬ 
prisoned in the house of correction, and so in like manner 
was one Robert Smythe, for accompanying the said God¬ 
frey, and abusing the deputy of the ward in vyle words. 


* People have been known to remain in safety in an infected town by 
shutting themselves up from all communication with such as might be 
suspected of giving the disease ; and it is said that whilst the plague was in 
the town of Cambridge, the colleges remained entirely free by using this 
precaution ; and in the plague at Home in 1657, the monasteries and 
nunneries defended themselves by the same means. Dr. Mead’s Discourses 
on the Plague. 

O 


208 


HISTORY OF 


9th Oct. At a meeting of the ten men, orders were made for the 
sicke to be sent to Berton, when a carte and horse were 
ordered to be bought to carry all necessaries there to them. 

21st Nov. The governors continued their duties, ordering all 
whom they thought necessary to be forthwith placed at 
Berton, # and to have weekly allowance accordingly, 
issuing orders for denying any allowance to such as 
offended, and directing who were to be kept close. 

25th Nov. The governors now gave orders who should be 
permitted to go abroad, limiting the distance, and when 
permission was granted, it was with strict injunction 
that they should not have any recourse into any man's 
house upon pain of a fine. 

26th Nov. The disease beginning to abate, the governor re- 
moved nine persons from Berton, and allowed them 
twelve pence a piece, so as they performed orders. One 
person was ordered to be set in the stocks, and another 
to be tyed to one of the posts of the market cross, and 
to have twenty stripes, for disobedience of orders. 

od Dec. At a meeting of the governors, it was agreed that 
nine persons, who had been allowed twelve pence a piece 
on the 26th Nov. should the week following have 
liberty to go abroad, and that all the rest of the sicke 
at Berton, being eleven persons, should have liberty to 
return to their houses and abide therein, strictly obeying 
orders. Independent of donations, a special assessment 
was made by the justices for the sicke and poor, and 
orders issued respecting payment thereof. 

■; v V.d aM/;r 5 - - 

* This “ Berton ” was about the entrance of the new road from Thorney, 
which was and is called Barton Lane. 


WISBECH. 


209 


In the mean time the ten men had very frequent 
assemblies, cooperating with the governors in issuing from 
time to time the necessary directions. 

To prevent, as far as might be, all communication be- 10 Dec* 
tween the sick and the healthy, it was directed that every 
governor should bring in a bill in writing of the name of 
each person, being an householder, who should be able 
to give any bounty within his ward, and of every person 
having need, so that persons willing to distribute to such 
as were in want might be certified, and the poor be re- 

4 

lieved, without begging from door to door as theretofore 
at Christmas. 

A further order Was published, that the poor people 
should be forbidden to go abroad at Christmas, and not be 
relieved at any man’s door; but such as be minded to 
give, either to send it to them, or to give it themselves at 
their houses, or to deliver it to the governor of the ward, 

&c. 

A man having presumed to go abroad without leave 
was ordered to be carried before the justices. 

t • r 

Robert Scotred, one of the governors, falling sick, 28 Dec* 
another was appointed to fill his place as governor, 

- The men and women lately visited were directed to 
be placed on convenient seats by themselves in the 
church. • * 

A further order was made respecting the town’s horse 
and cart at Berton, and certain locks, table, bedding, 

&c. - _ 


o 


210 


HISTORY OF 


5th Jan. The governors still continued their meetings, and the 
house of one James Goodericke being suspected to be 
infected, and partly known to be so, therefore the said 
James Goodericke was ordered to kepe his house and 
shoppe from henceforth shut close up, and not suffer 
any person other than of his own house to come to him ; 
and that the governor of the ward should oversee that he 
do not contrary to the justices' order, and that if he refuse, 
he be committed to the house of correction. 

a.d. In April, five pounds were lent to the above James 

1587. Goodericke; and oneHervyeand his wife were ordered 
to take all the stuffe out of their house, and lay it on the 
further side of the little river, and make a fire in the house: 
and thus the orders relating to the plague conclude. 
It is not recorded how this direful disease was supposed 
to be brought into the town, only that the symptoms 
of it were first discovered at Guyhirn, nor is the 
extent of the calamity here stated. On consulting the 
register of the parish, it appears that forty-two were 
buried in the month of September preceding, and sixty- 
two in the month of October, after which the numbers 
declined to about twenty and eighteen in the four 
succeeding months, which is not more than three or four 
beyond the usual average at that season of the year. 

On the 11th April, a fire took place in the old market, 
which broke out about twelve at night, and the town 
bailey was ordered to pay forty shillings for expenses 
bestowed at the time. 

1588. From this period an alteration took place in the manner 
of conducting the proceedings by the body corporate. 
The monthly meetings, so far as they related to the 


WISBECH, 


settling and appeasing of controversies between the in* 
habitants and neighbours, seem now to have ceased, and 
the ten men directed their attention towards other useful 
purposes, such as the putting out of apprentices; anew 
duty also began to devolve upon them as trustees for the 
property of widows and orphans committed to their care, 
as well as to manage and place out the stock at interest,* 
for the benefit of both the mothers and children, 
until the latter arrived at age, giving assurances for the 
repayment of the monies put forth. The style of their 
meetings also was changed, which are now declared to be 
‘ ‘ A meeting of the ten men, to take account of all goods 
“ cornytted of trust to them of sundry orphans, according 
“ to the confidence in them reposed, and assurance to be 
“ taken for repayment of such sum as should be put 
“ forthe for affairs of the towne,* and placing out poor 
“ children ; also for allowing churchwardens’ accounts, 
“ menworks, or surveyors of highways accounts, granting 
“ leases, &c.” 

*£ * s 4 cl* 

The amount of orphan stock is stated at 280 9 0 

Towne stock put forthe for profytt ..., 79 15 0 

The ten men also made orders respecting the fees for 
the knolling of the bell at the death of any inhabitant. 

The butchers’ shambles f were this year erected at the' 
upper end of the new market, the cost whereof is stated 
to have been £ 85. 19s. 4 d* The stalls were let, and the 
rent accounted for before the ten men. Accounts also 
were produced by the constables for the queen’s tax, the 

* Interest at this time was eight per cent. 

t These were removed from the market place in 1810, 

o 2 


212 


HISTORY OF 


market watch, brink watch, churchwardens, menworks, 
new bridge, profit of the great bell, and putting forth 
children apprentices, and at the conclusion, a memoran- 

a.d. dum is made as follows : “ Memdum. I bought for the 

1592. “ towne, in London, the picture of king Edward VI. 
“ K. E. ” which is at this day hanging up in the tow n 
hall, 

1595. The wards are again repeated, and a governor appointed 
to each, who was to oversee and take order for relief of 
the poor within each ward, and report of their neede to 
be made every sabbath after evening prayer, and the 
governors were directed to view their wards once a week, 
or forfeit four pence. 

At this period overseers of the poor were not appointed, 
nor w r as any compulsory method adopted for the 
relief of the poor until the statute 27th Hen. VIII. c. 25. 
but they seem to have been left to such relief as the 
humanity of their neighbours would afford them. The 
monasteries in particular were their principal resource, 
and among other bad effects which attended the monastic 
institutions, it was not, perhaps, one of the least, (though 
frequently esteemed quite otherwise) that they sup¬ 
ported and fed a numerous and idle body of poor, whose 
sustenance depended upon what was daily distributed in 
alms at the gates of the religious houses. But upon 
the total dissolution of these, the inconvenience of thus 
encouraging the poor in habits of indolence and beggary 
was quickly felt throughout the kingdom, and abundance 
of statutes were made for providing for the poor and 
impotent. After many fruitless experiments the statute 
43d Elizabeth was passed, by which overseers of the 
poor were appointed in every parish. Their office and 


WISBECH. 


213 


duty were principally first, to raise competent sums for 
the necessary relief of the impotent, old, blind, and 
others, being poor and not able to work, and secondly, 
to provide work for such as were able and could not 
otherwise get employment. The two great objects of this 
statute seem to have been first, to relieve the poor and 
impotent, and then only secondly, to find employment for 
such as were able to work, and that, by providing stocks 
of raw materials, to be worked up at their separate homes, 
instead of accumulating all the poor in one common 
workhouse, a practice which puts the sober and diligent 
upon a level (in point of their earnings) with those who 
are idle and dissolute, depresses the laudable emulation of 
domestic industry and neatness, and destroys all 
endearing family connexions, the only felicity of the 
indigent ; whereas if none were relieved but those who 
are incapable of earning a living, and that in proportion 
to their incapacity, if no children were removed from their 
parents, but such as are brought up in rags and idleness, 
and if any poor man and his family, who could not obtain 
employment, were furnished with it, and allowed the whole 
profits of their labour, a spirit of busy cheerfulness would 
soon diffuse itself through every cottage, work would 
become easy and habitual, when absolutely necessary for 
daily subsistence, and the poor man would go through his 
task without a murmur, if assured that he and his children, 
when incapable of work, through infancy, age, or 
infirmity, would then, and then only, be entitled to sup¬ 
port from his opulent neighbours. Such appears to have 
been the intention of the statute of queen Elizabeth : 
probably there might be a defect in confining the manage¬ 
ment of the poor to small parochial districts, which are 
incapable of furnishing proper work, or providing an 


214 


HISTORY OF 


able director. Upon this the learned Black stone # 
observes, that when the shires, the hundreds, and the 
tythings were kept in the same admirable order in which 
they were disposed by the great Alfred, there were no 
persons idle, consequently none but the impotent that 
needed relief; and the statute 43d Elizabeth seems 
entirely founded on the same principle. There is not a 
more necessary or more certain maxim in the frame and 
constitution of society, than that every individual must 
contribute his share, in order to the well being of the 
community ; and surely they must be very deficient in 
sound policy, who suffer one half of a parish to con¬ 
tinue idle, unemployed, and dissolute, and then 
are amazed to find that the industry of the other half 
is not able to maintain the whole. To return, however, 
from this digression, and proceed with the corporate 
proceedings :—the body corporate having power by their 
charter to acquire, take, and enjoy other lands, &c., the 
ten men seem to have become purchasers of a certain 
real estate, the situation of which is not particularized, 
but a memorandum is made thereof, which proves that 
the parties were sufficiently attentive to their personal 
comforts, 

“ Item. Paid for the expences of James Saylebank, 
“ John Rogers and his wife, and Robert Adams and his 
“ wife, on 29th and 30th September, at Lynn, in going to 
“ Mr. Justice Gudger, to have the fine acknowledged, 
“ as well of the lands which are purchased of the said 
“ Rogers, as are purchased of Robert Adams, for the use 

of the towne. 


* Blackslone’s Commentaries, page 9. 


WISBECH. 


‘215 


£. 

“ Item. For the forage of us and our horses 
“ Item. For one qute of wyne afore supper, 7 
“ and our suppers and wyne and sugar.. 3 
“ Item. For a qute of wyne, sugar and cakes } 

“ in the morning. 3 

“ Item. For our dinners, and three quartes of 7 

“ wyne and sugar .5 

“ Item. For our horse meat, andgyven to the 7 

“ chamberlayne and others . 3 

“ Item. Paid Mr. Huett for the dble fyne, 7 

“ precipe and concord .3 

“ Item. Paid to him towards suing forth the 7 

“ same... 3 

“ Item. Paid and given to Rogers’ wyffe •. 

“ Item. Paid and given to R. Adams’ wyffe 
“ Item. For our passage at the bridges. 


s. d. 

0 4 

4 10 

0 11 

5 10 
0 18 

28 4 

36 8 

20 0 
10 0 
0 3 


£5 8 8 

“ More I paid at London towards suing forth 7 £0 q 

“ the fines.^ 

“ Item. More I paid for the fyne when I took 7 ^ ^ 

“ that forthe.. 3 


The fine above alluded to appears to have been issued 
out of the court at Westminster, but it was not unusual to 
acknowledge fines relating to property within the isle 
of Ely, before the chief justice of the isle, as the 
undermentioned chirograph will show. 

« InsulaElien.'Y* St. Hec estfinalis concordiafca incur 

dni regis apud Ely decimo die Aprilis 
u anno regni dni nri Caroli scdi Dei gra Anglie Scoc Franc 












210 


HISTORY OF 


<( et Hibine regis fidei defensoris &c. decimo octavo coram 
Edro Turner mil justic dni regis fidelibs tunc ibi 
u presentibs int John Harrison quer Robtum Grimble and 
u Graciam uxem ejus deforc de uno messuagio cu ptin in 
“ Wisbech infra insulam pd &c —the remainder in the 
usual form. Ely. Indorsed : “ Insula Elien in Com 
(( Cantabr.” * 

Whilst noticing the law proceedings, we present another 
entry from an old book, Heamcs’ Black Book, relating 
to the legal customs of the isle, or rather to ancient 
usage in the hundred of Wisbech, by which it appears 
that the fair sex were held in a higher degree of 
respect and estimation there than in other parts of the 
kingdom. The paragraph is as follows : 

“ Heame’s Nig. Lib. consuetudo in Hundredo de 
“ Wisbech ex recuperationibus in termino Sanctae 
• c Trinitatis 1 H. 14 rot 332.—Tho Reson petit versus 
“ Johannem Hely medietatem messuagii iji Wisbech 
“ et declarat quod est consuetudo in Hundredo de 
“ Wisbech ab antiqua usitata cujus pdicta villa est 
“ parcella quod mulieres quae sunt dotabiles de 
“ tenements in eodem Hundredo debeant de medietate 
(( dotari.” f r 

. ' :c ■ ,l . ' . • ' ' a'-.- ' 

* The original pf this fine came into the compiler’s hands as a trustee of 

Mrs. Wright’s charity, and is still amongst the title deeds of the estate 

■ 

left by that benefactress to the town. 

t “ Thomas Reson demands against John Hely a moiety of a messuage in 
“ Wisbech, and declares that it is the custom in the hundred of Wisbech, 
“ by ancient usage, of which that town is a parcel, that women who are 

“ dowable of tenements in the said hundred ought to be endowed of 

* " * . . _ 

“ a moiety thereof.”—The above curious extract was furnished by a friend, 
to whom the. compiler is much indebted for the interest he takes in 
this compilation. 


WISBECII. 


217 


In king Edward’s charter it is ordered, that £3. 15s. a.d. 
should be distributed amongst the poor annually, 1596. 
according to the discretion of the ten men, which sum is 
for the first time here noticed amongst the benefactions 
made by the capital burgesses as follows: 

“ Item. They distributed the £ 3. 15s, which was the 
“ king’s gyfte.” 

The account of bonds for monies advanced on loan 
had now increased in value to £ 453. 6s. 4 d. which 
afterwards accumulated in amount to £940. 18s. 6 d. 
all which sums were advaneed for the benefit of 
the inhabitants of the towne, to be repaid with 
interest. 

The style of election is again changed, being here 1598. 
called “ A meeting of the inhabitants of the bodye 
u corporate of the towne, by virtue of the letters patent 
“ of king Edward VI,, which did assemble themselves 
“ in common hall, by the greater number of which inhabi- 
“ tants, were of new chosen, ten men of the better and 
“ more discreet of the inhabitants, cherishing families in 
“ the said town, to the intent, that same ten should have 
“ power for one year to demise for the inhabitants, the 
“ lands, &c. belonging to the said body corporate.” 

The names of the ten are then enumerated, the first 
named of whom is William Sturmyn, esq. whose widow 
left certain almshouses, 

. ,, : ... ■ \ i ' i p - y.-' * v il i V? - T i ' 

We have before remarked on certain differences relative 1599. 
to Wisbech high fen, but from the brevity of the pro¬ 
ceedings, little of their nature can be discovered, and 


218 


HISTORY OF 


again in this year disputes arose between the town of 
Whittlesea and Wisbech hundred, respecting the high 
fen, # whereupon a commission was sued forth in 
chancery, and the suit ordered to be conducted by the 
body corporate, but the issue thereof is not noticed 
among the proceedings. 

From this period the elections of the capital burgesses 
became more regular, or at least are recorded with more 
accuracy, although no extraordinary event occurred for 
the next ten or eleven years ; but the ten men, after their 
election, took upon themselves the direction of the 
general affairs of the town. 

a.d. The corporation at this time became purchasers of 

1610. certain lands in Walpole, but doubts having arisen as to 
their power to make purchases, Edward Buckworth, 
esq. and two other of the burgesses were directed to 
go up to London with their charter, there to take 
advice concerning the confirmation thereof, and altering 
the course of the election, by confirming the same to 
the freeholders inhabiting within the town, or the greater 
number of them. The inhabitants also were sued for 
service to the king, relative to the lands at Walpole 
purchased by them, but they were released by pleading 
the charter. About the same time they applied to his 
majesty king James I. T for the renewal of their charter, 
with further powers for purchasing lands, and restricting 
the election of burgesses to freeholders only of forty 
shillings per annum and upwards. 


* Wisbech high fen and Whittlesea parish adjoin each other in the 
wash. 

t An abstract of this appears in that of king Charles II. 


WISBECH. 


219 


The king was pleased, in the 9th year of his reign, by a.d. 
his letters patent, to grant their petition, and to declare 1611. 
the inhabitants of the town to be a body corporate, by 
the name of u The burgesses of the town of Wisbech, 

“ within the isle of Ely, in the county of Cambridge,” and 
that they should have perpetual succession, and power to 
hold estates for terms of years or otherwise, as well as to 
grant, sell, or exchange estates, and adding a confirma¬ 
tion of the estates before by them enjoyed.* After this 
grant, the burgesses, when elected, assumed the name of 
“ capital,” which continues to be their honorary dis¬ 
tinction. An attempt was subsequently made in 1668 to 
obtain a renewal of the charter, with a power of ap¬ 
pointment of the capital burgesses for life; but the town 
bailiff was directed to oppose such proceedings, and 
to renew it with the same privileges as the free¬ 
holders had before enjoyed. Accordingly a renewal 
was obtained, although a caveat w r as entered against it, 
and on the petition of the ten burgesses, his majesty 
Charles II. in the 21st year of his reign, confirmed 
and enlarged the former privileges of the town by a 
new charter. 

By these letters patent, the inhabitants are to every 
intent a body corporate, of which the town bailiff, one of 
the body, is the president, annually elected from among 
themselves, for the better management of the affairs of 
the town, although not recognized by the charter. The 
signatures of the capital burgesses are now, for the first 
time, (1666) subscribed to the proceedings. 

* The provisions of this charter are so similar to those contained in that 
of the 21st year of the reign of Charles II., that it was not thought neces¬ 
sary to give a copy of it here. 


220 


HISTORY OF 


Defence of the Isle of Ely, fyc. 

a.d. The sword of civil war, when once unsheathed, is not 

1643. easily returned into the scabbard. In the disastrous times 
of the unhappy Charles, the isle of Ely, having been 
gained to the interests of the parliament by the activity 
of Oliver Cromwell,* he was soon afterwards appointed 
governor there, f when he caused fortifications to be 
raised near the Horseshoe, about a mile from Wisbech, to 
secure the pass out of Lincolnshire, which to that time 
remained in the king’s interest, and soldiers were stationed 
there under the orders of colonel Sir John Palgrave 
and captain William Dodson. The capital burgesses 

* Oliver Cromwell was born at Huntingdon, and resided for some time 
at St. Ives, and afterwards at Ely ; he had been very active in the drainage 
of the isle, which made his interest very considerable in these parts. 

t The following anecdote (the truth of which there is no reason to doubt) 
shews that although Oliver Cromwell might not take up his quarters at the 
town of Wisbech, he appeared in the neighbourhood with his forces. At 
Needham Hall, the residence of Mr. William Dow, at Elm, three miles 
distant from Wisbech, is preserved an ancient table of oak, (entirely of 
one solid piece) which is rendered remarkable by the circumstance of 
Oliver Cromwell having reposed on it one night ; and there is now living in 
the parish of Elm a person far advanced in years, who well remembers his 
grandfather saying “ That when he was a boy, he saw Oliver Cromwell and 
“ his troops pass by the avenue leading to this hall, and that the person 
** then inhabiting the mansion offered to Cromwell his best bed, 
“ which he declined, observing, that perhaps the next day he should 
“ have to sleep in the open field, therefore, in preference, he chose to 
“ pass the night on this very table. Such of his officers as could be accom- 
“ modated were supplied with beds, and the rest of his troops took shelter 
“ in the outbuildings and premises.” The term the old man used was, 
that this occurred during the time Cromwell “ was ransacking the fens,” 
and that he made a building called the Nine Chimney House, at Emneth, 
the adjoining village to Elm, his head quarters, which spot is now in the 
occupation of Mr. John Graham Dow, whose house stands near the site 
of the old building. 


WISBECH. 


221 


advanced Captain Dodson £150. for the service of the 
king and parliament , (as it is expressed in their proceed¬ 
ings) the command of the troops being entrusted to this 
officer, who had been sent down for the siege of Crowland, 
then a royal garrison. 

The town of Wisbech appears to have been divided in 
its political sentiments, at least some degree of licen¬ 
tiousness took place, for a mutiny is said to have broken 
out, and eight hundred soldiers were sent down to quell 
the same, under the command of colonel Saxers, and 
35$. 6d . was paid by the capital burgesses towards the 
quartering of such soldiers. 

' . v 1 ' ■ V ; ' - . J • f ,,.(// y • J ( i : f 

The parliamentary forces came to Peterborough in 
order to the besieging of Crowdand, Cromwell himself at 
this time lying at Peterborough with a regiment of horse, 
to carry on the siege* The town of Crowland having 
been taken on 9th of May following, Cromwell and his 
forces marched onto Stamford. After this, £250. were 
ordered by parliament to be advanced for the defence of 
the isle, and furnished to majorlreton, to be paid out of the 
receipts of the excise, as “ per ordinance of parliament, 
and a troop of horse was accordingly raised. Also 
£11. 12$. 6d. was ordered to be paid to Sir John 
Palgrave, for iron work employed for the drawbridge, at 
the time when Wisbech was garrisoned for the parlia¬ 
ment. 

A commission was voted by parliament to raise ten >.p. 
reo’iments of horse, and ten of foot, and the earl of 1644. 
Manchester, * as commander of the seven associated 

• - • ■ • v - 1 '< 

* The earl of Manchester (as commander in chief of the seven associated 
counties) was ordered to set out for the relief of the north. Ilis first 
exploit was the taking of Lynn, on 16th September 1613, and he next bent 
his course for Lincolnsliire* 


222 


HISTORY OF 


counties undermentioned, was authorised to raise in' 
them ten thousand men, and a rate was made by an 
ordinance of both houses of parliament, to provide a 
weekly sum by each county and district, according to 
the following proportions : 


<£, $. d . 

Essex, weekly sum of .«. 1687 10 0 

Suffolk . 1875 0 0 

Norfolk and city of Norwich .,. 1875 0 0 

Hertfordshire... 675 0 0 

Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely .... 783 15 0 

Huntingdonshire . 350 0 0 

Lincolnshire . 1288 15 0 


At this critical period, the earl of Manchester was 
invested with extraordinary power, and great prepa¬ 
rations were made on both sides, as the parties 
anticipated that the ensuing summer would decide the 
pretensions of either. 

On the 2d July, the disastrous engagement of Marston 
Moor, so unfortunate to the royal cause, took place. 
The armies consisted of about 25,000 men each. Man¬ 
chester and Cromwell led the right of the parliamentary 
forces. The battle did not actually commence until seven 
in the evening, and all was closed by ten at night. 
Both parties fought with determined bravery, but the 
forces of the parliament were triumphant. It appears by 
the journals of the house of commons, that in 1648, £ 70. 
per week were ordered for the pay of a troop consisting 
of sixty horse, for the defence of the isle of Ely, whereof 
John Hobart, esep of Outwcll, was colonel. 








WISBECH. 


223 


The town of Wisbech, no doubt, felt the burthen of 
their proportion of the tax raised among the associated 
counties, in these harassing and distressful times,* for in 
the lords’journal will be found a petition signed by John 
Hobart and William Fisher, to parliament, from the in- a.d. 
habitants and landowners of the hundred of Wisbech, 1656. 
lor that having, in all taxes on the eastern association, 
paid a moiety (in proportion) more than their neighbour 
counties, and having sent a troop of horse f for the service 
of the parliament ; and also having with others expended 
£2,000. in last reducing Crowland, they prayed to be 
reimbursed that sum, and to be exempted from all arrears 
of taxes, the waters that winter having run over all their 
ancient defensive banks, and broken the banks of 
Wisbech, Elm, Upwell and Outwell, drowned 14,000 
acres of rich ground, carried away divers houses, and 
drowned many cattle, besides the loss in com and hay 
invaluable. 

During this period many of the church lands were put 
up for sale, and it seems that the manor of Wisbech, with 
others in this neighbourhood, was sold to Thomas Allen, 


* In these arduous times, one John Fisher, of Wisbech, was fined for 
delinquency. His offence was, that he was in arms against the parliament. 
He rendered before December 1645, his estate in reversion, which was 
about £ 80. per annum, for which his fine at a tenth is £ 80. Journals of 
the House of Commons. 

Also there was an ordinance for granting pardons to Thomas Wragg, 
yeoman, and Edward Buckworth, both of Wisbech, for their delinquen¬ 
cies. Ibid. 

t A troop of horse continued to be kept up even after the revolution of 
1688, as on 6th June 1690, four pounds were ordered to be paid towards 
the expense of a horse to serve “ in the troop,’’ and the town bailiff was 
directed to defray a moiety of the charge for arms and furniture. Hutches- 
son’s MSS. 


224 


HISTORY OF 


Francis Rowland,' and others, for £2544. Is. 6{(l 
and a parcel of Wisbech manor demesne was also 
sold to Jonathan Barnes and Richard Harrison, for 
£ 1915. 16s. 8 d. 

a. i). We read of no further proceeding relating to the isle 
1658. during the commonwealth ; but when Cromwell obtained 
the Protectorate, it is well known that the castle of 
Wisbech was sold to his secretary, Thurloe, who made 
it his residence. 

Eighteen months of anarchy, after Cromwells’ death, 
made the nation impatient of its oppressors, and indig¬ 
nant of its sufferings. The national wish was felt and 
obeyed at a time when scarcely any one dare utter it, 
and Charles II. was invited from exile to his paternal 
1660. throne* by a people who desired nothing more than 
the restoration of those institutions under which England 
had been prosperous and happy. On his restoration, a 
tide of extravagant joy overspread the nation, and the 
town of Wisbech partook with their neighbours in the 
general rejoicing, a sum of money being granted by the 
capital burgesses to entertain the inhabitants. 

Secretary Thurloe, who, as it is above stated, had 
become the purchaser of the castle of Wisbech, was 
a great benefactor to the town, and the inhabitants, 
sensible of his kindness, wished to express their grati¬ 
tude by electing him their burgess in parliament. 

Brady, in his “ History of Burghs,” observes, that it 
w as left to the sheriff of each county to name and direct 
which w r ere burghs, and which were not, by those 
indefinite and general words in the writ: “ De qualibet 


WISBECH, . 


225 


k< civitate duos cives & de quolibet burgo duos burgensesy 
“ &c. eligi facias, See.” i. e. “ to cause to be chosen two 
“ citizens of any whatever city, and two burgesses of any 
“ whatever burgh, 8cc.” The first returns extant of 
knights, citizens, and burgesses being summoned to 
parliament, are in 26th Edward I. (1298) before which 
time citizens or burgesses are not found to be summoned. 
Tn the 28th of the same king, the sheriff of Lancashire, 
after the return of the knights, gives the reason why no 
return was made by him of citizens and burgesses, in these 
words : “ That there were not any citizens or burgesses 
“ within that county, from which any citizens or burgesses 
“ ought or were wont to come to the said parliament, for 
“ or by reason of their inability or poverty.” By this and 
other instances he proves, that from 23d Edward I. and 
also during the reigns of Edward II. and III. Richard II. 
Henry IV. V. and VI. and Edward IV. it was left to 
the discretion and judgment of the sheriffs, which of the 
burghs were fit and able to send burgesses, and which 
were not. And that if ancient able burghs became 
poor and indigent, and unable to pay the expenses of 
their burgesses, or had none fit to choose, it was con¬ 
sidered a just ground for the sheriff to excuse them from 
the trouble and charge of electing and sending any. 
Dr. Brady finishes with this observation : “ that the 
“ burgesses, during the time of all these kings’ reigns, 
u never complained of the sheriffs for not returning their 
“ burgh, or not sending precepts to them, or of taking 
“ away their birthrights; nor did the king, lords, or 
“ commons ever blame, complain of, or question the 
“ sheriffs for sending or not sending precepts to this or 
“ that burgh; nor was it accounted an advantage, 
“ honor, or privilege to be bound to send burgesses 


2 m 


HISTORY OF 


u to parliament, but rather on the contrary, it was 
“ represented a burthen and a grievance for poor and 
“ small burghs to send them. 

“ Cirencester, in Gloucestershire, never sent burgesses 
“ to parliament before 22d James, (1623) and how it 
“ came to send, I know not. Cirencester was anciently 
u no burgh, and amongst all the returns in the tower, 

“ from 26th Edward I. to 17th Edward IV. (1478) 

“ there is not one for that town.” # Wisbech is said 
to have been a parliamentary burgh, and that so early 
as the reign of Edward I. (1300); but when it 
ceased to be so, does not appear. By the above extract 
from Brady, it is shown that men were little solicitous 
to obtain a place in the legislative assemblies, when even 
their attendance was regarded as a burden and grievance, 
and not compensated by any return, honor, or profit, pro¬ 
portionate to the trouble or expense. It is very doubtful 
whether Wisbech was ever possessed of such a parlia¬ 
mentary privilege, however, the town claimed the right 
under the protectorate in 1658 ; and at a meeting of the 
capital burgesses, it was agreed by them “ that a burgess 
“ should be chosen,” when secretary Thurloe was elected 
to serve as a representative of this town and borough, 
(as it is then called for the only time in the journals) in 
Richard Cromwell’s parliament. But Thurloe making his 
election to serve for the university of Cambridge, (for 
which also he was returned) and the parliament being 
dissolved in April following, the town never had the 

* Camden and Sir Henry Spelliam declare they find no signs of 
commons in parliament, until 49th Henry III. (1265) and the issue of 
the earliest writ, 22d Edward I. (1294.) 


WISBECH. 


227 


honor of an exclusive independent representation.* 
Amongst the corporation proceedings, is an entry of 
certain expenses paid to the undersheriff for the county of 
Cambridge, to the amount of forty shillings, for his pains 
in electing such burgess, but the privilege, being with¬ 
drawn at the restoration, was never afterwards restored. 

* Anno 1658-9, Mr. Secretary Thurloe being chosen to sei-ve as a 
member of this present parliament for the university of Cambridge, the 
town and borough of Wisbech, in the same county, and for the borough of 
Huntingdon, it is declared, that he made choice to serve for the university of 
Cambridge, and waived the election for the boroughs of Wisbech and 
Huntingdon. Journals of ihe House of Commons, vol. vii. p. 606. 

Thurloe’s state papers, in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, mention that 
lie was chosen member for the university of Cambridge by one hundred and 
twenty suffrages, a greater number than ever was known upon the like 
occasion, vol. v. p. 175. 

In these state papers, one of the first letters is the following from 
Oliver Cromwell to Mrs. St. John. 

“ Dear Cozen, 

“ I thankfully acknowledge your love in your kind 
“ remembrance of mee upon this opportunitye. Alas, you do too highlye 
“ prize my lines and my companie. I maybe ashamed, to use your own 
“ expressions, consideringe how unprofitable I am, and the mean improve- 
“ ment of my tallent. Yett, to honour my God, by declaringe what he hath 
“ done for my soule, in this I am confident, and I will be soe. Trulye then, 
“ this I finde, that he giveth springes in a drye and barren wilderness, 
“ where noe water is. I live (you know where) in Meshech, which they 
“ say signifies “ prolonginge in Kedar, which signifieth “ blackness,” yet 
“ the Lord forsaketli me not. Though hee doe prolonge, yet he will, I 
“ trust, bring mee to his tabernacle,—to his restinge place. My soul is 
“ with the congregation of the first born, my body rests in hope, and if here 
“ 1 may honour my God, either by doeing or sufferinge, I shall be most 
“ glad. Truly no poore creature hath more cause to putt forth himself 
“ in the cause of his God than I. I have had plentifull wadges before hand, 
“ and I am sure I shal never earne the leaste mite. The Lord accept me 
“ in his sonne, and give me to walke in the light, and give us to walk in the 
“ light, as hee is in the light. Hee it is that inlighteneth our blackness,— 
“ our darknesse. I dare not say hee hydeth his face from mee ; he giveth 
“ mec to see light in his light, one beame in a darke place hath exceed- 
“ inge much refreshment in it; blessed be his name for shininge upon so 

p 2 


228 


HISTORY OF 


Ever since the grant of the charter of Charles II# the 
same custom has prevailed on the part of the inhabitants, 
with respect to the manner of electing the capital burges¬ 
ses, as is observed at the present period, and as the mode 
is rather singular and unusual, and indeed has been by 
some called whimsical, it may not be unentertaining to 
give an account of 

THE ANNUAL ELECTION OF CAPITAL BURGESSES. 

It has been shewn that letters patent were first granted 
by king Edward VI. to the inhabitants of the town: 
that on every 1st of November they should meet in 
common hall, and there elect ten men, who are to have 
the administration of the guild estates, and manage the 
same for the common benefit of the inhabitants for one 

“ darke a hart as mine. You knowe what my manner of life hath bene# 
“ O, Hived in, and loved darknesse, and hated the light, I was a cliiefe, the 
“ cliiefe of sinners. This is true. I hated godlinesse, yett God had mercy 
“ on mee. O the riches of his mercy, praise him for mee, pray for mee, 
“ that he, wlioe hath begunne a good worke, would perfect it to the day of 
“ Christ. Salute all my good friends in that family whereof you are yett a 
“ member. I am much bound unto them for their love. I bless the Lord 
“ for them, and that my sonne by their procurement is so well. Lett him 
“ have your prayers, your councell; let me have them. Salute your 
“ husband and sister from mee ; he is not a man of his word,—he promised 
,f to write about Mr. Wrath, of Epinge, but as yett I received noe letters : 
“ putt him in minde to doe what with convenience may be done for the 
“ poore cozen I did solicit him about. Once more, farewell; the Lord bee 
“ with you, so prayeth your truly loving cozen, 

“ Oliver Cromwell. 

“ Ely, 13th October, 1630. 

“ My wive’s service and love presented to all her friends. 

“ To my beloved cozen, Mrs. St. John, 

“ at Sir William Mashain, in his 
“ house called Oates, present these.” 

See Athen. Oxon. vol. ii.fast. c. 88,89, and Warwick’s Memoirs, p. 249- 
50, by which this letter may be fully understood. 


WISBECH. 


229 


year, and out of the issues, “ to repair, maintain, and make 
“ new all such and such like sea shores, banks, and 
sewers, as the wardens and brethren of the late frater- 
“ n dy or guilde were wont to do:” and that this charter 
was renewed by king James I. with further powers, and 
at length confirmed and established by his majesty king 
Charles II. in the 21st year of his reign, being the last 
charter of incorporation; by which confirmation of their 
charter, the inhabitants of the town are declared to be 
one body corporate and politic, by the name of the 
“ Burgesses of the town of W isbech, within the isle of 
“ Ely, in the county of Cambridge,” and are by the same 
name to have perpetual succession, with the grant of a 
common seal, and power to elect ten men of the better , 
more honesty and more discreet burgesses maintaining 
households, who should be called “ capital burgesses ” of 
the said town; and the right of election is vested in the 
freeholders of the town of the clear annual value of 
forty shillings, maintaining households there; and the 
duration of the authority of the ten elected is for one 
year, during which time they are to have the adminis¬ 
tration of the estates, and repair and overlook the same, 
for the common benefit of the burgesses. By this 
same charter it is also provided, that if the freeholders 
do not meet on 2d November, or do not elect ten capital 
burgesses, then the ten of the year preceding shall 
assemble on 3d November, and then elect ten, to be 
capital burgesses. A power is also given to the ten men, 
to call together and summon any other respectable 
burgesses, maintaining households, to consult about the 
matters and affairs touching the public good. So that, at 
present, the householders at large, possessed of freeholds 
of the requisite value, (who are, properly speaking, the 
corporation) elect annually from among themselves ten 


230 


HISTORY OF 


men, called the “ capital burgesses,” who again elect one 
of themselves to be “ town baililf ” for the year. This 
person becomes the executive officer, though not recog¬ 
nized by the charter, and has the care and administra¬ 
tion of the estates for the benefit and advantage of the 
town. The revenues consist of the rents of these 
estates, which, with the profits of the fairs and markets, 
and certain other funds, amount altogether in annual 
value to upwards of £ 2,000. and it may be said, to the 
credit of the corporation, that the trust has been dis¬ 
charged with singular fidelity.* 

The capital burgesses (as before observed) have no 
authority in the administration of justice, nor any right 
in the exercise of civil power, their duty consisting in the 
management alone of the estates of the burgesses, 
which have been granted and left for public and charitable 
purposes, and the direction of all such matters and 
affairs as may arise concerning the common benefit of the 
town. On the 2d November (the day of election) all 
such residents as choose, having freeholds of forty 
shillings per annum within the town, and maintaining 


* The compiler has pleasure in adding Ins testimony to what has been 
before observed, that the gentlemen forming this body derive no peculiar 
adyantage or gratification from it whatsoever. The income is consecrated 
to public purposes, and to these it is expressly devoted, with a degree of 
self denial on the part of the corporation to which it would be difficult 
to find a parellel. The single annual dinner, of which they partake together, 
in capacity of corporate burgesses, and to which they invite the clergy and 
the naval and military gentlemen stationed at or resident in the place, 
forms no exception to this remark. It is paid for by themselves out of their 
own pockets ; and this must be acknowledged a trait of considerable merit 
and virtue in a corporation in the receipt and control of more than £ 2,000, 
per annum. Even the complimentary fee of the town bailiff is generally 
distributed in charity. See Jackson’s Public Charities, published in 1822. 


» 


WISBECH. 


231 


households there, assemble about mid-day at the town 
hall, together with the ten capital burgesses. At 
this meeting, the burgesses at large scrutinize the 
conduct of the ten men of the year preceding, and freely 
give their opinion in approval or disapproval of any 
of the public measures. The ten men of the preceding 
year are then severally put in nomination, together 
with as many others as the inhabitant freeholders present 
may think proper, out of whom ten new ones are to be 
elected for the ensuing year, and thereupon the poll 
commences. It has been a common practice of late years 
to read the test act, (13th Charles II.) which declares, 
that no person shall be chosen to any office that shall not 
have, within one year next before such election, taken the 
sacrament of the Lord’s supper, according to the rites of 
the church of England, and in default thereof, every 
such election is to be void. After this, a returning officer 
is appointed, with two check clerks, and a poll paper 
drawn out. The meeting is then adjourned to the gram¬ 
mar school, where a sort of hustings is erected, to 
which the freeholders resort to tender and give their 

votes. The poll is immediately opened, and so continues 

% 

until twelve o’clock at night, at which hour it is closed. 
The respectable part of the inhabitant freeholders, 
who prefer quietness, generally attend at an early hour, 
and give their votes. Each person is entitled to make 
one mark against any name on the poll list, as far as 
the number of ten; but he cannot give more than one 
mark or vote to one individual, and if he does not 
choose to exercise his full right of ten votes, he loses the 
benefit of his remaining votes. As the right of voting 
was by king Charles’ charter confined to freeholders 
only, it is probable, the number being at that time small, 
the capital burgesses used, on the day of election, to 
distribute cakes and wine amongst the electors. Incon- 


232 


HISTORY OF 


venience was soon experienced, and endeavours were made 
to limit the expense to a certain sum, viz. £ 6. This at 
length was considered as encouraging disorder, and it 
was resolved, that no more cakes and wine should 
be provided. In time, however, the old custom w T as 
revived to a certain extent, but again growing to 
excess, it was finally abolished in the year 1774, and 
an order then made, of which two hundred copies were 
printed, “ That no wine, ale, or spirituous liquors should 
‘“be in future allowed.” This order still remains in 
force, as relating to the entertaining of the freeholders 
out of the public purse ; it is, however, to be regretted, 
that the rule is not strictly attended to by some of the 
candidates for office, who, as is too often the case in 
elections of greater moment, endeavour to win the favour 
and support of the smaller freeholders by providing them a 
treat at some of the public houses. Such of the burges¬ 
ses as are tempted by this regale do not give their atten¬ 
dance until a late hour, when, it must be acknowledged, 
the strictest order is not at all times observed. As the 
evening advances, the noise and humour of the election 
increase : it may, however, be mentioned, much to the 
credit of the electors, that they in general exercise due 
discrimination in the choice of the candidates, so as 
to comply with the words of the charter, except 
(which has been witnessed) when the fascinating influ¬ 
ence of libations of punch has perverted their better 
judgment. A clock is fixed on a pedestal over the 
head of the poll clerk, and at half-past eleven the first 
proclamation is made; at a quarter before twelve a 
second, and the instant the clock strikes twelve, the 
poll clerk closes the books, and the numbers are cast up. 
While this operation is in progress, all is suspense 
and expectation. At length the poll clerk mounts the 
nostrum, and, proclamation being again made for silence, 


WISBECH. 


233 


pronounces aloud the names of the several candidates, as 
they were placed upon the poll paper, and the number of 
votes given to each. This announcement is received in 
every instance by the meeting, now crowded almost to 
suffocation, with shouts of applause, or groans of censure, 
according to the degree of popularity enjoyed by them 
respectively. After this, the names of the ten highest in 
order on the poll are repeated and declared by the poll 
clerk, as the returning officer, to be the ten elected, to 
act as capital burgesses for the ensuing year. The 
election being now over, and none but the poll clerk and 
his two assistants knowing to whom the several free¬ 
holders have given their votes, the paper is carefully 
sealed up under three several seals, to be deposited among 
the records of the corporation until the next 2d Novem¬ 
ber, and then committed to the flames, without having 
been opened, unless a scrutiny should be demanded by 
any unsuccessful candidate, and that step become in 
consequence unavoidable. The whole assembly then 
unite in singing “ God save the King,” and afterwards 
disperse to their respective homes. 


The numbers who attended and voted at the election 


in 1826 were as follow : 


No. 1. 

2 . 

3. 

4. 


• • • * 


• • • • 


123 

110 

109 

106 


No. 5. 

6 . 

7. 

8 . 


• • • • 


97 

92 

83 

83 


No. 9.77 

10 .72 

11 .55 

12 .32 


Of whom the ten highest were declared duly elected. 
We shall not further pursue the transactions of the corpo¬ 
rate body in any regular order, but proceed to a 
description of the public buildings, public charities, 
and other remarkable events relating to the town, com¬ 
mencing with the Church. 




234 


HISTORY OF 


THE CHURCH. 

After a violent struggle of 150 years, the Saxons had 
succeeded in destroying almost all the remains of Roman 
civilization in Britain, and wherever their arms pre¬ 
vailed, every vestige of Christianity was destroyed; 
but towards the close of the sixth century, .the sun of 
Christianity rose once more. # 

A.d. The reign of king Ethelbert was distinguished by the 
596. introduction of the Christian religion among the Anglo 
Saxons, through the preaching of Augustine, who was 
sent by Pope Gregory, with forty associates, to preach 
the gospel in this island. 

The original buildings of our first rural churches have 
no where in this kingdom survived until now. They 
were generally of wood, and the Normans are said to 
have brought in the art and custom of building with 
stone. Time, casualties, or the desolations in the 
reigns of Stephen and Henry III. destroyed (with a 
very few exceptions) all the first stone churches, so 
that none are found more ancient than about the time 
1272. of Edward I., or the latter end of his father’s reign, 
and even of these there are but few ; for the common 
edifices of this nature are scarce older than the reign 
1422. of Henry VI., into which several much older gravestones 
have been evidently removed from the former fabrics.F 


* The Britons are accused by Bede of having lost, not only the power 
of religion, but the external form, and of having abolished, except in a 
few instances, even the order of priesthood, and the distinction of civil 
society. Bede, lib. i. c. 22. 

t Nicholls’ Literary Anecdotes, vol. 5. 


i 











. 




























. 













■ 


























. 








































♦ 


2\U?tis?ucL fy 22.7c JJ^eacb/. Wisbech. 1S27. 































































































































































































































































































































WISBECH. 


235 


This particular district, although no stone fit for 
building is found within it, can boast of many beautiful 
and stately churches built of that material, more nume¬ 
rous, indeed, than perhaps any other part of England, 
which is decisive evidence of the wealth as well as of 
the piety of their founders. The stone employed in the 
erection of these edifices is universally found to be of an 
excellent and durable species,* still retaining at the dis¬ 
tance, in many instances, of nearly six centuries, its 
original face and firmness. The sharply pointed arch, 
which succeeded the circular or Saxon about the year 
1200, may be observed in most of them.f 

The church of Wisbech is an ancient, spacious fabric, 
dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and is a singularly 
constructed building, appearing to have had several 
additions made to the body of it. Cole,J in his MSS. 
says : “ It is the oddest built church I ever met with, 
u yet, notwithstanding its irregularity, it is a very noble 
“ pile of building, both within and without, and is 
“ furnished with two naves under one single roof, and two 
u aisles, as well as two chancels, one of which, the south, 


* It is supposed to have been generally brought from Barnack pits, 
near Stamford ; the very handsome and elegant tower of Boston is built 
of the like stone. 

f Stavely, in his History of Churches, says, that the Saxons generally 
built their churches with a descent into them, but the Normans with an 
ascent. Hence, where we meet with one of the former, we may judge it to 
be of ancient date. 

J The Rev. William Cole, vicar of Burnham, in Buckinghamshire, died 
at Milton, between Ely and Cambridge, 16th December 1782, in his sixty- 
eighth year. He closed a life spent in learned researches into the history 
and antiquities of the county of Cambridge in particular. He left to the 
British Museum (to be locked up for twenty years) his valuable collections, 
in one hundred volumes in folio, fairly written in his own hand. He was 
buried under the belfry of St. Clement’s church, in Cambridge. 


236 


HISTORY OF 


“ is called the town chancel.” Under the first window 
of the latter chancel, on the south side, is a niche, 
probably the place where the holy water formerly stood. 
The north chancel is much larger than the other, at the 
east end of which, and running parellel with it, is the 
vestry, which probably was formerly one of the chantries. 

The naves are lofty, and separated from each other 
by a row of light and slender pillars, with pointed arches. 
There are also two aisles, divided from their respective 
naves, that of the north aisle by low massy pillars, and 
semi-circular Saxon arches, in the windows whereof 
was formerly some painted glass, now removed. The 
exterior of the whole church is leaded. The noble stone 
steeple tower stands at the west end,* and adjoining to 
the north aisle on the side of it. This is of more recent 
date than the church, being erected posterior to a.d. 
1500. It appears that in the year 1520, Robert Smith, 
by his will, gave £ 20. to the building of the steeple of 
Wysebeche, directing that sum to be paid within a year 
after the said steeple was begun to be built.f There 
is also an order amongst the transactions of the guild, 
in the year 1524, for the sum of £2. 3s. 4^. to be 
advanced by the skyvens to the building of the steeple. 
We are prevented from judging of any further donations 
on this occasion, by an unfortunate chasm in the guild 
a.d. proceedings, from 1527 to 1531. The alderman of the 
1538. guild and his brethren assigned “that £4. should be 
“ paid to the making of the steeple,” and a memorandum 
is added thereto, that “ Katherine Wynde had paid £ 4. 

* Churches are not invariably due east and west, because in laying the 
foundation stone, the architects were guided by the sun, which varies from 
due east, according to the time when the building is commenced, 
t See appendix :—Robert Smith’s will. 


WISBECH. 


237 


,k to Mr. Alderman and his brethren, for the use of the 
“ steeple,” which may lead us to suppose that it was 
then about finishing. There is a small lead spire within 
the pinnacles at the top. The tower is much adorned on 
every side towards the top with coats of arms. On the 
tower are initials T. M. the archiepiscopal arms of the see 
of Canterbury, one with those of Ely, and both impaling 
th e same arms. On the north side of the steeple, quite 
at top, are these devices:—in the middle are the royal 
arms of France and England in a large shield, supported 
by an angel under a canopy; above this, at the two 
corners, are a text T. and an M. crowned ; and at the 
bottom corner, under the T. the arms of the see of Can¬ 
terbury; the other under the M. is also mitred, and has 
a coat of arms quarterly, considered as cardinal Morton’s. 
On the ridge, immediately under the pinnacles, are the 
following arms, in a shield:—two keys in saltier, being the 
emblem of St. Peter. On the ridge below the windows 
are seven shields :—first, France and England ; second, 
uncertain; third, cross keys ; fourth, see of Ely sup¬ 
ported by an angel ; fifth, two swords in saltier, emblem 
of St. Paul; sixth, uncertain ; seventh, Ely, impaling 
Morton, as supposed, and mitred. Below all these, on 
the corners of the arch of the belfry door, are two 
other shields, with first, the keys in saltier; second, the 
swords in saltier. On the south side at top, are these 
devices :—first, in the middle, I. H. S.; on one side, three 
cups ; on another, a cup and wafer. On the east front, 
in the middle, under a canopy, supported by an angel, is 
the cup and wafer. The arms on the west side of the 
tower are those of the see of Ely, supported by an angel. 
Also above them all, on the ridge immediately under 
the pinnacles, are the arms of the see of Ely. 


238 


HISTORY OF 


It is probable that the see of Ely added to the contri¬ 
butions raised towards the erection of this steeple,* as 
the three crowns (the arms of the see and isle of Ely) 
are frequent amongst the various devices on the building'. 
The exterior of the vestry is formed of rich workman¬ 
ship, and the enigmatical devices are curious and 
uncommon, amongst which the arms of the see of Ely, 
with the keys and swords in saltier, are most con¬ 
spicuous. In the south aisle, at the west end, is a 
handsome pointed window, which will w r ell bear exami¬ 
nation, and is much to be admired ; it is divided into 
five lights, by stone mullions, and the tracery of the 
whole is finely varied. 

The south entrance is approached by a porch: such 
appendage to a church is very ancient, and though now 
considered merely as an ornament to it, had formerly 
its special uses. Mr. Lyson, in his Environs of London, 
vol. 2. says : “ They were (as oar vestries are now) 
“ places where the inhabitants assembled to transact the 
“ parish business.” They also answered other purposes, 
as is evident from the will of king Edward VI., relative 
to the foundation of his college at Eton, which directs 
that there be made “ in the south of the body of the 
“ church, a fair large door, with a porch, and the same 
“ for christening of children, and weddings/’ All these 
services, since the reformation, are performed in the 
church. Over the porch is a room, probably used in 


* About this period, three bishops of Ely followed in quick succession. 
Dr. Redman died in 1505, Dr. Stanley was succeeded in 1515, by Dr. West 
who lived in great splendour: the poor relieved daily at his gate with 
meat and drink being two hundred. 


WISBECH. 


239 


ancient times as a depository for the church instruments, 
vessels, books of office, and vestments, and afterwards 
lor the town arms, as bows and arrows, halberts and 
firelocks, with a certain number of which every palish 
was formerly obliged to be ready provided,* This room 
is now converted into a library, which was established 
about the year 1657. Mr. Henry Pierson gave most of 
his books of value to this library yj- many others followed 
the example of his benefactions, and it contains at 
present several very valuable books, amongst the rest, an 
excellent folio edition of Walton’s Polyglot Bible,£ 
Montfaucon’s Antiquities, the works of the early fathers, 
as Irenseus, Clement, &c. with the more recent works of 
Collier’s Church History, Burnet’s and Brandth’s Histoiy 
of the Reformation, Clarendon’s History of the Rebel- 
lion, &c. The corporation have the custody thereof, 
and appoint a librarian, with a small annual fee, wffiich 
has never been raised from its first establishment. 


* Deeds, for safe custody, were often kept in rooms over porches in 
churches. Fosbroke, vol. i. p. 379. 

t The Rev. Dr. Algernon Peyton, rector of Doddington, secretary 
Thurloe, the Capital Burgesses, William Fisher, Henry Pierson, William 
Edwards, Henry Jerrour, esq. the Rev. William Coldwell, vicar of Wisbech, 
Lawrance Hewar alias Oxburgh, esq. and many others, are amongst the 
benefactors. 

^ The first Polyglot w r ork was printed in 1516, by Peter Paul Porrus. 
It was in Hebrew, Arabic, Chaldaic, and Greek. Walton published his in 
1657, by subscription, and this was probably the first book ever printed in 
that manner in England, and is considered more exact than any other which 
had been published on that subject. The first English bible we read of 
was that translated by WicklifFe, about the year 1360, but never printed, 
though there are MSS. copies of it in several public libraries. Tindall’s is 
the first printed bible, which was printed abroad in 1526. King James’ 
bible is that now read by authority in all the churches in Britain: fifty- 
four learned persons were appointed for the translation, as appears by the 
king’s letter to the archbishop, dated 1604. 


240 


HISTORY OF 


In the chancel stands the altar, on an eminence of 
three steps, handsomely railed in, with the paternoster on 
one side, and the creed on the other, and in the centre, 
the ten commandments gilt, and about them, several 
sentences out of the New 7 Testament, over which is a 
window with some handsome painted glass, presented by 
Dr. Burrough, a former vicar, and in the south wall, 
within the rails of the altar, under the monument of 
Mrs. Jobson, is an arch, now hidden by the wainscot. 
The width of the church, within the walls, is eighty-three 
feet by eighty-four, the pavement regular, and in good 
condition; the church itself is very neatly fitted up 
with pews throughout,* and the pulpit handsome. 

« 

a.d. In 1392, the then bishop (Fordham) granted an 
1392. indulgence of forty days pardon to all those who said 
a paternoster and ave maria for the souls of William 
Naun, and Maud, his wife, who were buried in Wisbech 
church yard. During the time of the guild of the holy 
trinity, that brotherhood exercised some right over or 
within the church, though the nature thereof does not 
1503. appear. In 1503, Richard Wyatt, vicar of Wysbech, 
paid 6s. 8 d. on his being admitted into the said guild or 
1525. fraternity, and in 1525, an order is made by that body, 
“ That the skyvens should kepe sufficiently the tythe 
“ and other things accustomed.” And it was directed 
by the guild, that their first prayers should be at six 
a. m. the second at eight, and the third as they 
pleased. 

In the church were formerly several chapels, as is 
customary where the Roman Catholic religion is pro 


* A stove would contribute to render the church still more comfortabl \ 
to the congregation in the winter season. 


WISBECH, 


241 


fessech One was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, another 
to the Virgin Mary, # and another to Saint Martin, to 
each ot which was appointed a priest. The latter 
chapel retains its name to the present day, and is that 
part of the church where the font now stands, being at 
the west end, by the north entrance, leading up to the 
organ loft. Fonts were placed in the entrance of churches 
very early, but the ancient baptistery was a room ad¬ 
joining to the church, in the middle of which stood the 
font. Saint Martin’s chapel was originally endowed 
with lands for the maintenance of a priest to say masses 
for the souls of the founders, and in this chapel bishop 
Alcock held an ordination in 1495. Chantries f were a.d. 
dissolved 1st Edward VI., and in bishop Gooderick’s day, 1546. 
the images, shrines, altars, &c. in this chapel or chantry 
were demolished, pursuant to his injunction, dated at Ely 
4th October 1541. Indeed, it is said, the people began 
to demolish such images, &c. before the injunction was 
issued. Under James I. the messuages and lands formerly 1604. 
belonging to Saint Martin’s chantry, and four acres 
of lamp land, were granted to L. Johnston for forty 
years; and on the 31st October 1670, the town-bailiff 
of Wisbech was ordered to pay £ 5. to the discoverer 
of a rent charge of 11s. 8 d. per annum, due from 
lands late of the chantry of Saint Martin, in Wisbech, 
the arrears of which, being £30., were then paid. 

* May not this have been the present vestry? In 1475, the chapel of 
the Holy Virgin is said to have been lately erected. The chapel of the 
Holy Trinity is not mentioned until 1502. 

f Under the title of “ Chantry,” lands and houses were bequeathed to 
particular churches for maintaining priests, who should daily perform mass 
for the souls of the founders, and such other persons as were specified in 
the deed of endowment; there were forty-seven such belonging to St. 

Paul’s at the time of the reformation. Chapels were separate places- of 
worship, endowed for the same purpose. 

<,> 


242 


HISTORY OF 


There are galleries both on the north and south 
sides of the church; on the latter, a gallery was here¬ 
tofore erected at the expense of the corporation, and 
presented to secretary Thurloe, out of gratitude for 
many services rendered by him to the town, which, in 
the late alteration of the interior of the church, has been 
re-arranged and divided for more general accommodation. 
Besides which galleries, there is one at the east end, 
probably the ancient rood loft, which always stood over 
and across the nave at the entrance of the chancel, where 
the image of our Saviour on the cross was placed, with 
those of the Virgin Mary and St. John, and sometimes rows 
of saints, and was so called from the rood or crucifix 
originally set up in the middle of it, and where the musi¬ 
cians played. Some parts of the liturgy were here sung 
previous to the change of religion. These rood lofts were 
common to all churches before the reformation. Very few 
of them now remain perfect, for the before-mentioned 
injunction extended to the demolishing of these erections, 
in the fitting up of the churches, as well as to the 
destruction of the images. To this east gallery, a very 
considerable addition has been lately made for the ac¬ 
commodation of sittings for the inhabitants. The custom 
of ringing a bell at five in the morning in summer, and 
at six in the winter, is kept up, and the “ Curfew ” tolls 
at nine in the evening. 

President Henault, # in an interesting inquiry into 
different matters of antiquity, has this passage on the 
subject of the law of the curfew bell, by which every 
inhabitant of England was obliged to extinguish his 

* President Ilenault was n celebrated French historian, who died in 
1771. 


WISBECH. 


243 


fires and candles at eight in the evening. u This,” he 
says, “ has been usually alleged as the institution of a 
“ capricious tyrant; but this law was so far from beins; 

“ absolutely tyrannical, that it was an ancient regulation 
u of the police, established among all the towns of the 
“ north, and particularly among the monasteries. These 
“ houses being built of wood and covered with thatch, 

“ so cautious a regulation to prevent fire was an object a.d. 
“ worthy a prudent legislator.” In 1662, it was ordered 1662. 
that lrom the 2d February to the 1st November yearly, 
prayers should, according to ancient custom, be read 
immediately after the toll of the bell at six in the 
morning, and from 1st November to 2d February at ten. 

There used to be a peal of eight bells, which were 
re-cast in the year 1823, when the present esteemed 
vicar, the Rev. A. Jobson, D. D. gave two additional 
ones at his own expense, making ten, which send forth 
a sonorous peal on all joyous occasions.* Previously, 
the oldest bore date a. d. 1566, another 1608, and a 
third 1640.T A passing bell, as is usual elsewhere, is 
rung on the decease of any inhabitant. Notice was thus 


* The hells (of which the ropes had brass and sometimes silver rings at 
the end for the hands) were anciently rung by the priests themselves, 
afterwards by their servants. Fosbroke, vol. i. p. 105. 

t Crowland is said to have had the first ring of bells in England, which 
were put up in king Edgar’s reign, about the year 960, and were six in 
number. Bells are said to have been introduced into churches about the year 
400, by Paulinus, bishop of Nola, in Campania, but no mention is made of a 
peal of bells before 860. The practice of ringing changes on bells is said 
to be peculiar to England. The custom commenced with the Saxons, and 
was common before the conquest. The invention of a ring of bells appar¬ 
ently gave rise to steeples for their reception, as there is a general corres¬ 
pondence in the date of both. 


244 


HISTORY OF 


originally given of the approaching dissolution, not of 
the actual death, of the person, that the people might 
offer a prayer for the departing soul, and the priest might 
hasten to administer extreme unction. 

Wisbech is one of the oldest possessions of the church 
of Ely. In 1232, the living was a rectory, and valued 
at fifty marks, (£33. 6.5. 8 d.) twenty years before the 
first endowment of the vicarage ; the bishop of Ely being 
the patron of it. The old coucher book of Ely is said 
to prove that the church of Wisbech had, in the year 1251, 
a tenth part of the money paid to the bishop for the 
agistment of stock. In 1252, Hugh de Northwold, 
bishop of Ely, appropriated the church of Wisbech to the 
convent of Ely, and endowed # the vicarage with all small 

* The first endowment is as follows : To all the faithful in Christ to 
whom these presents shall come, Hugo de Norwold, by the grace of God, 
bishop of Ely, sendeth health in the Lord :—Know ye, that Mr. John de 
Cadamo, appointed parson of the church of Wisbech in our presence, hath 
given and granted to our beloved Mr. William de Norwold, the vacant 
vicarage of the aforesaid church of Wisbech, with all its appurtenances, 
reserving to himself the tithes of flax and wool he also yielded to the same 
the tithe of foldage and piscary ; also the tithe of all lambs, cheese, and 
butter; of geese, calves, pigs, and all the oblations and revenues of the 
whole altarage ; also the manors, as well of the vicarage as of the chapel, 
which is from the fosse of the castle to the sea, and as far as it returns 
towards Elm. He also granted to the same (saving the tithes) two acres of 
land near the manor of the vicarage, and all the tithes of the mills, and the 
land he bought of the convent of Spinctus, (Spinney) for the service of the 
chapel, to hold of his favor. In testimony whereof we have, with the consent 
of the said Mr. John, caused our seal to be set to this present deed. Given 
at Downham upon the day of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, and in the 
year of our Lord 1252. 

William de Norwold was bound to find a lamp burning before the high 
altar continually, from vespers until the whole seivice by night and day was 
finished. 


I 


WISBECH. 


245 


tithes.* And in the year 1275, Hugh de Balsham 
made a second endowment, 4* and assigned to the 
monks J of Ely certain tithes of corn between the banks 

* Selden contends that tithes were not introduced into England until 
towards the end of the eighth century, viz. a.d. 786, when parishes and 
ecclesiastical benefices came to be settled. About the year 794, Offa, king 
of Mercia, the most potent of all the Saxon kings of bis time in this island, 
made a law, whereby he gave unto the church the tithes of all his kingdom. 

t The second endowment is as follows : To all the faithful in Christ to 
whom these presents shall come, Hugo, by the grace of God, bishop of Ely, 
sendeth health in the Lord :—Know ye, that the church of Wisebeche being 
vacant, of which the collation doth of full right belong to us, we have as¬ 
signed certain issues and profits belonging to the said church to the monks 
of Ely, ftfr a certain use, viz. the tithes of corn between the bank of Wisbech, 
and the fields of Leverington ; the farm of the rector, with the farm of 
Killhus, and the granges standing thereon; the homage, with the whole 
yearly revenue of the same church, and a moiety of the hay of the land be¬ 
longing to our manor, in the name of the parsonage. We, desirous of 
having regard to the burthen of William de Norwold, vicar of the said 
church, have resolved and ordained, that the suid vicar and his successors 
shall have and receive, in the name of the vicarage, the arable land belonging 
to the said church ; the tithe of corn, hay, pasture, and fisheries, and all 
tithes whatsoever proceeding from the fields, meadows, pasture, or pasture 
grounds, between the bank of Wisbech and the parish of Elm, together with 
a moiety of the tithe of hay of the land belonging to our manor, and all the 
tithe of the hay of the said parish ; saving always to the said vicar and his 
successors, all the profits of Altarage of the church of Wisbech, Avith the 
tithe of wool and flax, and all other yearly profits belonging to the same 
church, with this exception, that if the said lands, from which the monks 
receive the tithes of corn, shall be overflowed with waters, the said monks 
shall receive the tithes of flax, hay, and pasture proceeding from off the said 
lands; and the said vicar and his successors, and the said monks, shall bear 
the charges of repairing the chancel in their proportions. In witness 
whereof our seal is affixed to these presents. Given at Downham on the 
eve of the blessed apostle James, in the year of our Lord 1275.— By 
altarage, is meant the tithes of wool, lambs, calves, pigs, and other small 
tithes, with the offerings due. 

t The clergy were formed into two great divisions—regular and secular. 
The first, or regular clergy, were so denominated, because they were under 
an obligation to live according to certain rules prescribed them by Saint 
Augustine or Saint Benedict. There were several distinct societies of the 


246 


HISTORY OF 


of Wisbech and the fields of Leverington, the rectory 
house, and the house belonging to Killius chapel, and 
half the tithe hay of the demesne ; and he ordained that 
the vicar should have all the arable land belonging to the 
church, and the whole tithe of corn, hay, &c. from the 
fields and pasture grounds between the bank of Wisbech 
and parish of Elm ; and also the moiety of the tithe of 
all the demesnes, &c. When a taxation of the revenues 
of the clergy, by Pope Nicholas, took place in the year 
1291, # (sixteen years after the second endowment) the 
valuation appears by the exchequer as under: 

£. s. d. 

Ecclesia de Wisbech.26 13 4 

Vicaria ejusdem . 6 13 4f 

Disputes afterwards arising between the monks of Ely and 
the vicars of Wisbech, an appeal was made to John 
Fordham, the then bishop, to settle the same, who 
determined such disputes by an award, dated 1st October 
1420, which fully established the vicar’s claim to 
tithe in its full extent. 

regular clergy. The principal of these constituted an abbey ; the second, 
a priory ; the third, monks, friars, and nuns. The former seldom went out 
of their cloisters ; the friars travelled about and preached in the neighbour¬ 
hood. Every monk or friar used the tonsure, or shaved crown, an emblem, 
they said, of their hope of a crown of glory. The second division, or 
secular clergy, consisted of the bishops and parish ministers ; they lived 
in the world abroad, without being shut up in convents and cloisters, as the 
regulars. 

* By this taxation, all the taxes of the king, as well as of the pope, were 
regulated, until the survey in the 26th year of Henry VIII., and according 
to which, benefices under a certain value are exempted from the restriction 
in the statute Henry VIII. concerning pluralities. 

t Afterwards, the valuation in king Henry the eighth’s time, in Lib. 
Beneficiorum, is stated to be X 26.13s. id. 




WISBECH. 


247 


The high fen, containing 4,387 acres, was not at the 
time of the endowment, between the banks of Wisbech 
and the fields of Leverington, but bishop Morton, by his 
new learn from Peterborough to Guyhirn, altered the 
course of the river, and made new banks. After the high 
fen, from being common and waste land,* became 
drained and inclosed, about the year 1664, it then, for 
the first time, produced corn, the tithe whereof was 
claimed by the dean and chapter, who have since 
enjoyed it. 

Several of the vicars for many successive years were 
contented to receive certain compositions for their tithes, 
but in the year 1803, the vicar instituted a claim, and 
made a formal demand of all the tithes in kind of the 
grass lands, and of all other vicarial tithes arising 
within the two parishes of Wisbech St. Peter and 
Wisbech St. Mary, which he first submitted to the 
owners and occupiers of lands, who, however, set up a 
modus for exemption from such tithes. The parties, 
therefore, became at issue in the court of exchequer, and 
after a suit which lasted nearly five years, the claim of 
the vicar to tithe in kind was established, so that the 
vicarage is now estimated at £ 2,000. per annum and 
upwards, while the rectory, which is in the hands of the 
dean and chapter of Ely, (and originally of the greater 
value) is not more than £ 1200. The vicar has in his 
gift the chapel of Guyhirn, worth about <£100. per annum. 

Whilst treating of the history of the church of Wisbech, 
it w r ould be an act of ingratitude in the compiler, as one 


* An award of commissioners, made in 1664, proves that these lands 
were then worth only Is. 6d. per acre per annum : in 1719 and 1724, they 
are stated at only 2s. an acre, and are now worth to let 25s. per acre. 


248 


HISTORY OF 


of the parishioners, to omit bearing some testimony of 
respect towards the present esteemed and very venerable 
and benevolent vicar, Dr. Jobson. It is not intended to 
dwell upon his private virtues, great and estimable as 
they are, or to recount the praises which are due to 
him ; but the repeated public acts of munificence 
exercised by him towards the parish ought not to be 
passed over in silence. It is a signal blessing, when 
the Lord raises up pious and able men in church or 
state to succeed one another; and it behoves us all to 
pray for a succession of useful men, who may 
endeavour to complete the good designs of their 
predecessors, and make way for the usefulness of their 
successors. When far beyond human observation, and 
when we and many generations shall have been swept 
away, the name of Dr. Jobson will be recollected with 
gratitude and esteem. He graces the station which he 
holds, his conduct has been at all times marked with 
affability, and his wealth employed with liberality in 
supporting the several institutions in the town, and for 
the most important of all human ends, the service of 
true religion and virtue. However unwilling to wound 
the private feelings of this excellent pastor and friend, 
still a few of his public donations must be glanced at. 
He endowed the national school for girls (conjointly 
with the late highly respectable character, John Edes, 
esq, # ) by a donation on his part of £500. He also 
contributed largely to the building of the boys’ school. 


* This gentleman died in 1824 : he was a magistrate for the isle of Ely, 
and one of the conservators of the honourable corporation of Bedford level. 
Having, in the early part of his life, devoted much time and attention to 
works of drainage, he acquired considerable experience and local knowledge, 
the value of which was highly esteemed. He lived respected, and died 
sincerely lamented. 


WISBECH 


249 




He erected the upper gallery on the south side of the 
church, and gave one moiety of the charge of building 
a gallery on the north side. He entirely ceiled the 
root of the church at his own expense, besides con¬ 
tributing a moiety towards new glazing the church 
windows. He also gave <£500. to found a Sunday 
school for boys and girls in perpetuity. He furnished 
two additional bells, as before noticed, to the former 
number of eight. Besides these particular acts, he 
contributed largely to other improvements in the 
church, especially in transforming the seats, thereby 
giving additional accommodation in sittings for a greater 
number of his parishioners. So many and repeated acts 
called forth the grateful expressions of the inhabitants, 
who, having witnessed the exemplary zeal and unremit¬ 
ting diligence with which he discharged his pastoral 
duties, and his pious care and regard for his church, 
and being desirous of testifying their sense of his distin¬ 
guished merits, as well as to convey the tribute of their 
esteem, determined on requesting their worthy vicar to 
sit to some eminent painter for his portrait, to be 
preserved in the town hall, with whose wishes he 
complied. # 

* At a meeting of the magistrates and capital burgesses of Wisbech, held 
at the sessions house, the gentlemen present, being unanimous in expressing 
their sense of the distinguished merits of their vicar, and in determining on 
the propriety of showing him some public mark of respect:—It was 
resolved, that the following address should be presented to him, on behalf of 
themselves and their fellow townsmen. 

The address and reply were as under : 

<( Wisbech, 15th November 1823. 

“ To the Rev. Abraham Jobson, D.D. vicar of Wisbech. 

“ We, the undersigned, viewing with the highest and most sincere 
“ satisfaction, the continued acts of munificence you have so frequently exer- 
“ cised towards your parish, feel anxiously solicitous that some memorial 


250 


HISTORY OF 




In transforming the seats just referred to in the church, 
several small thin copper coins, of the size of a farthing, 
were found underneath, with a floor composed of flat 

“ should be preserved of so kind and generous a benefactor. The two 
“ excellent charity schools in the town testify your great liberality, and, 
“ exclusive of other important public and private charitable donations, the 
“ many improvements in the church for the increased accommodation of your 
“ parishioners, made at your private expense, are too well known to require 
“ any remark. You have discharged your arduous duties as vicar of this 
parish for nearly twenty-five years, with exemplary fidelity and constancy, 
“ whilst your rectitude of conduct, genuine benevolence, and urbanity of 
“ manners, have gained you the warm and general respect of your parishion- 
* * ers. We, therefore, do make our earnest request to you, as our vicar and 
“ friend, that you will sit to some eminent painter for your portrait, to be 
“ preserved in our town hall, as a token of the esteem entertained for you, 
“ and to afford, in future times, a pleasing remembrance of your character 
“ and personal virtues. 

“ WTlliam Rayner, 

“ WTlliam Watson, 

“ Robert Hardwicke, 

** John Edes, 

“ William Hardwicke, 

“ H. J. Nicholls, 

“ To the Rev. Abraham Jobson, D,D. 

“ Vicar of Wisbech.” 

To which the vicar replied: 

“ Gentlemen, 

“ the course of a long life, few things have fallen to 
“ my lot so grateful to me, as this proof of the estimation in which 1 am held 
among you ; and prepared as I am to comply with your wishes in all 
“ respects, my assent to the very flattering request you have thus kindly 
“ made me cannot be withheld. In any thing I may have been disposed and 
enabled to do in your service, I wholly disclaim all pretensions to merit; 
“ but this I may truly say, that it has always been my anxious desire to fulfil 
“ to the utmost the duties of my responsible situation as your vicar, and I 
“ have no wush to continue longer in this world, than I can be useful and 
“ acce P ta hle to you. 1 am wholly unable to express the depth of my feelings 


Steed Girdlestone, 

Hugh Jackson, 

Jeremiah Jackson, 

James Usill, 

William Swansborouch. 


WISBECH. 


251 


glazed tiles .* One ol‘ the coins in the possession of the 

T 

compiler has the words “ Wisbitch H I on one side, and 

1663.” 

“ Henry Tunard,” with the bakers’ arms, on the other. On 
another of the coins are the words u King’s Lyn Farthing 
“ 1669,” w ith a sort of arms on the reverse. The tiles so 
found were flat, about three quarters of an inch in 
thickness, and four inches square on the surface, glazed, 
with a bar dividing six cross crosslets in a well defined 
shield. It is said that the floors of ancient chapels used 


“ on this occasion, and can only assure you of the sincerity of my gratitude 
“ and attachment to you and my other parishioners, and of my solicitude to 
“ promote, by every means in my power, both the temporal and eternal 
44 welfare of you all. 

44 Abraham Jobson. 

“ To the Magistrates and Corporation of Wisbech. 

“ 16th November, 1823.” 


*See Engraving.—On conferring upon this subject with a very intelligent 
and highly respected friend, (William Peckover, esq. F.A.S.) he made the 
following judicious and learned remark : 44 That although the quotation 
“ from Dr. Ducarel was strong against him, yet, on a leaf further in his 
44 ‘ Normandy,’ a great doubt is expressed, whether these tiles are not of a 
44 later date, and placed there during king John’s stay in that city. From 
44 Hearne’s curious Discourses, coats of arms are supposed to have been first 
"used in the time of Charlemagne, but not generally adopted until the 
“ crusades. King Richard I. was our first monarch who had them on his 
“ great seal. From a prosecution in the reignofHenryII.it appears, armorial 
*< bearings were then confined to the kings and nobility, but in the time of 
« Edward II. they are stated to have become more common. Devices on 
“ shields are certainly of very ancient origin, as they are frequently 
41 mentioned in Homer, and afterwards by the Roman writers; but as 
“ these devices were not hereditary, they cannot be considered in the 
44 nature of coats of arms.” 


0 


252 


HISTORY OF 


to be formed of tiles,* for instance, that of Prior 
Crawden’s, at Ely; and Dr. Ducarel informs us, that 
the floor of the great guard chamber of William the 
the Conqueror, at Caen, in Normandy, is paved with 
tiles about five inches square, and charged with coats 
of arms. 

The vicarage house is on the south side of the church, 
and adjoining the church yard, standing in a piece 
of fine pasture and glebe gland, containing about 
four acres, with a walled garden for fruit, and a 
kitchen garden, coach house, stable, and convenient 
outbuildings near adjoining; besides which, there are 
forty-seven acres of glebe land lying dispersed, viz. ten 
acres in Old field, twenty acres in Great Boleness field, 
fifteen acres in Redmore field, and two acres in Crabbe 
marsh, all in Wisbech St. Peter’s. There were formerly 
twelve acres in Wisbech St. Mary’s, abutting upon the 
church yard, which were sold to redeem the land-tax. 
The two acres in Crabbe marsh were allotted to the 
vicar from the common so called, consisting of two 
hundred and two acres, formerly embanked from the sea, 
and lying waste and uninclosed until 1664. The vicarage 
house is very commodious, and, by an addition thereto 
made by Dr. Rull,f a former vicar, forms altogether a 
very complete and excellent family residence. 


* Fosbroke observes, that in the Norman centuries mozaic work was 
adopted in pavements, exhibiting scriptural stories, painted upon glazed 
bricks and tiles, and in succeeding ages bricks were made equilateral, 
about four inches square. The use of these bricks was confined to conse¬ 
crated places. Arms are often impaled and quartered, interspersed with 
fleurs de lis. Fasbi'oke, vol. i. p. 105. 

t The new part was built at his private expense about the year 1741. 


WISBECH. 


253 


About the year 1782, # apiece of waste ground, adjoining 
the old church yard on the south side, was added to 
the then burial ground. In the centre of this space 
was anciently a pond, called Chapel Pond,^ which was 
then filled up, and the ground acquired by the filling up 
the pit, with the adjoining waste, was surrounded with a 
wall. Notwithstanding this augmentation, the space for 
the interment of the dead is so crowded, that additional 
ground is become absolutely requisite, which there is no 
doubt will ere long be obtained, as the present worthy vicar 
is at this time in treaty for the purchase of land for 
that purpose. 

In the year 1711, an organ was set up in the church 
by C. Quarles, of Cambridge, which having fallen into 
decay, a subscription was entered into by the inhabit¬ 
ants in 1787, for a new organ, which was built by 
Mr. Green, of London, (who erected one for his late 
majesty king George III. at Windsor) at the expense of 
£500.J and an application was made to the capital 
burgesses, by order of a public vestry, to appropriate a 
sum of money out of the revenues of the corporation, as 
a salary for an organist,§ and, in consideration of the 

* A stone in the wall records this addition to have been made “ by order 
“ of vestry.” 

t Does not the name of this pond, “ Chapel Pond,” seem to strengthen 
the presumption that there was, at some period, a place of divine worship 
in Timber Market, as mentioned in a following page 1 

f It is said that organs were sent to this country by Pope Vitalian, in 
the seventh century. The introduction of them into churches tended 
greatly to promote that delight which was taken by our ancestors at a very 
early period in the practice of psalm singing. 

The most magnificent and powerful organ known is at Haarlem, in Holland, 
which contains 8,000 pipes, 64 stops, 4 rows of keys, and 8 pair of bellows. 

§ The organist was anciently no separate officer, but of the priesthood. 
We hear of an archdeacon playing upon an organ in the Saxon a;ra. Fosbrokt, 
rol.i. p. 96. 


254 


HISTORY OF 


nomination of such organist being left to, and vested 
in the corporation, the capital burgesses appropriated a 
salary for an organist accordingly, and in the year 1789, 
the then capital burgesses, with the concurrence of the 
vicar, appointed Mr. George Guest to that office, who was 
pronounced by Dr. Randall, musical professor, of Cam¬ 
bridge, to be a performer of singular merit. That 
gentleman has now passed thirty-eight years of his life 
in the service of the burgesses and the parish at large, 
with uniform diligence, great credit, and without a 
single complaint. 

Although the worthy vicar has spared no expense, 
from his private purse, in endeavouring to render the 
utmost accommodation for his parishioners, by providing 
increased sittings within the walls of the present edifice, 
still the church cannot be made to contain more than 
1800 persons, whilst there is apopulation of about 7000. 
It has been already stated that much additional room 
has been gained by the erection of new galleries, and an 
improved arrangement of the seats, but still the parish 
church being incapable of holding more than one fourth of 
the inhabitants, supposing every seat occupied, and in the 
twelve years preceding this time (1827) a sum of £ 3000. 
and upwards (a considerable part of which was at the sole 
expense of the vicar) having been expended upon 
alterations and additions, and numerous families 
still constantly applying in vain for seats, it became 
at length a serious consideration, whether a chapel of 
ease, for the performance and celebration of divine 
worship, ought not to be erected in the town. The 
zealous vicar, fully alive to the necessity of further 
accommodation for his parishioners, almost anticipated 
their w ishes, by making a most noble offer for the effective 


WISBECH. 


255 


endowment oi a chapel by the conveyance in fee 
simple of a real estate, exceeding in value £ 5000. and 
by the rents and profits thereof, to make provision for 
the minister of the intended chapel. Happy is the man 
who is his own executor ! This liberal offer of the vicar 
was met in a corresponding manner by the co-operation 
of his grateful parishioners, and a subscription was 
accordingly set on foot, in shares of £ 50. each, for the 
erection of a chapel. To promote which subscription, 
the vicar set the example by taking twenty shares, 
amounting to £ 1000. independent of the provision made 
by him for the endowment. The money subscribed is 
proposed to be repaid, with interest, from the sale of 
nine hundred sittings, (the remaining three hundred 
being intended to be free and gratuitous) and of the 
burial vaults. The sum required for the purchase of the 
intended site and erection of the chapel will be about 
£7500. and more than £ 6000.* was subscribed in a very 
short period. 


* The following is a list of the names of the subscribers to the intended 
chapel of ease in the town of Wisbech, with the number of shares taken 
by each individual: 


Subscribers. 


William Watson, esq. F.A.S. 
William Rayner, esq. 

The Rev. Jeremiah Jackson 


The Rev. T. P. Holmes 


lt.A.F. 


No. of 

Amount. 

Shares. 

of. 

. 20 ., 


4 ., 


5 .. 


4 .. 

_ 200 

6 ., 


8 .. 


. 6 . 

. 300 

4 . 


4 . 

. 200 

• 

. too 

■ ■ ' 

63 

£3100 





















256 


HISTORY OF 


A piece of ground has already been purchased, and a 
bill is. at this time before parliament, “ for erecting and 
u endowing a chapel of ease in Wisbech,” and as soon 
as the royal assent is obtained, the building will be forth¬ 
with commenced. 


Subscribers. 

Brought forward 

The Rev. Wm. Gale Townley . 

Robert Hardwicke, esq. M.D . 

Abraham Tfsill, esq . 

No. of 
Shares. 

63 ... 

2 ... 

1 ... 

2 ... 

Amount, 

of. 

50 

100 

Robert Francis Pate, esq . 

John Wing, esq .. 

2 ... 

2 ... 

100 

... 100 

John Johnson, esq.. 

2 ... 


Mr. R.irhard Baxter. T . . 

2 ... 

, . . 100 

Robert. Baxter . . 

o _ 

... 100 

Mrs. Stevens. ..... 

2 ... 

100 

John Johnson, esq. Leverington . 

2 ... 


Robert Gaye. esq ... 

2 ... 

... 100 

Mr. J. C. Curwen. ... 

2 ... 

... 100 

Edward Jackson .. 

2 ... 

... 100 

William Swansborough . 

2 ... 


George Lefever . 

2 ... 

... 100 

Samuel Marriott . 

2 ... 

... 100 

C. T. Scultliorpe . 

2 .. . 

... 100 

Charles Boucher. .. 

2 _ 

_ 100 

Joseph Taylor . 

2 ... 

_ 100 

The Rev. William Hardwicke . . 

1 ... 


The Rev. R.J. King . 

1 ... 

... 50 

Mrs. Bellamy ... 

1 

... 50 

Mr. Henry Herrins: . 

1 


John Pope . 

1 ... 

50 

Robert W ard . 

1 

50 

Enderby Laughton ... 

1 ... 


G. A. Ward . 

1 

50 

John Burgess . 

i _ 

50 

Henry Leach . 

1 ... 


T. S. Watson . 

1 _ 

.50 


111 

£ 5550 

































































WISBECH. 


257 


The clean and chapter of Ely have, from about 11,000 
acres of land in this parish, the rectorial or great tithes, 
which had been appropriated to the prior and convent 
of Ely by bishop Balsham, under the before-mentioned 
endowment in the year 1275.* It is said, there 
was in ancient times a second church in the town of 
Wisbech Saint Peter’s, dedicated to Saint George, and 
standing in the Timber Market, though no record or 
trace of such building is now remaining. Amongst the 
guilds before enumerated, was one called Saint George’s, 
situated in that part of the town, which may have given 
rise to the opinion that a place of religious worship 


Subscribers. 


No. of 
Shares. 


Brought forward 


111 


Mr. William Bell. 

Thomas Moore . 

William Chamberlin, Jun 

F. Groom. 

Edward Cooch . 

William Beales.. 

Mrs. Palmer . 

Mr. James Smith .... 

Thomas Hall .. • • 

H. J. Elsey... 

J. B. Palmer . 

William Holmes . 

John Abbott . 

Matthew Johnson. 

W. T. Cleeve . 


1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 


Amount. 

£. 

5550 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

5q 

50 

50 


126 £6 ,300 


* These tithes are now let by leases renewable every seven years; but 
the estates in Wisbech Barton manor are let on leases for lives. Such 
mode of letting was adopted very early; for, by a Saxon charter, there is 
granted, ‘ terrain quatuor manentium pro diebus trium hominum which 
was for three lives, as used at this day. Heanie s Discourses, vol. i. p. 9* 
t See page 160. 

R 





































258 


HISTORY OF 


once stood there. Besides the church at Wisbech Saint 
Mary’s, (an adjoining village) there were several chapels 
other than that at Guyhirn, viz. one at Murrow, a second 
at Pigge’s Drove, and a third at Killhus, or Killhushing. 
All thelivings in the neighbourhood are very valuable, that 
of Wisbech exceeding £2,000.; Leverington, £2,100. 
and upwards; Newton, more than £ 1,200., and Tid St. 
Giles between £ 800. and £ 900. 

The monuments and other memorials are rather nu¬ 
merous, some of which, within the church,* are here 
selected, commencing with the most ancient , which is that 
of Thomas de Braun stone, who was constable of the 
castle of Wisbech, and dying in 1401, was interred in 
the south aisle of the church, where is a gravestone, 
with his effigy engraved on brass plates. He is repre¬ 
sented under a rich Gothic canopy, in plate armour and 
painted helmet, with a lion at his feet,f and an inscrip¬ 
tion round the verge of the stone: “ Cy gist Thomas 
“ de Braunstone, J jadis Conestable du Chatel de 
u Wisebeche, qui moruit le vingt septieme jour de Maii, 
“ Tan de notre seignour, mil cccc primer. D l’alme de 
“ qui Dieu par sa grace ait mercy. Amen.” 

* There are various opinions as to the time when interments in churches 
first took place. St. Cuthbert, about 680, is said to have been the first who 
added yards to the churches for the reception of the dead. Anciently, 
cemeteries were a mile from the monastery, and from the seventh century, 
abbots were buried in the chapter house, and monks in the cloister. The 
spirit of the church was always adverse to the burying in churches. Monu¬ 
ments were most usually erected along the highway-side, to put passengers 
in mind that they are, as those thereby commemorated were, mortal. 

t The cross-legged figures are to be placed between 1224 and 1334. 
Fosbroke. 

t This name has been heretofore differently written, sometimes Braun¬ 
stone, as above, and by others, Bramstone. Of this latter name, is a higldv 
respectable family residing at Skreens, near Chelmsford, in Essex, who are 
said to be descendants of this Thomas de Bramstone or Braunstone. 


✓ 


WISBECH. 


259 


There are several other monuments worthy of notice, 
amongst which are the following: 

In the chancel, on the north side, is a handsome 
monument to Matthias Taylor, esq. with the following 
inscription: 

# 

“ The memory of the just is blessed.” Prov. x. 7.* 
u Matthias Taylor, Esq. (5th and youngest son of 
“ Richard Taylor, Gent, deceased) departed this life 
il February 2d, 1633, in the 67th year of his age.” It 
is stated, that in his minority, he was brought up in 
the trade of a linen dealer, and by honest industry 
gained a large estate ; and that he was chosen one of 
the capital burgesses of this town, “ and of the number, 
u without any dislocation, continued to his dying 
“ day. Also he had the constableship of the castle 
“ conferred upon him, and by the space of twenty years 
“ before his death, was made justice of the peace and 
“ quorum under his majesty in the isle of Ely. 


Berney Bramstone, esq. LL.D. sat in parliament several years for the 
county of Essex, and retired from its representation in 1799. Hutchesson’s 
MSS. Lysons, in his Britannia, calls the name “ Bramstone.” It is to be 
regretted that at this period the stone is so defaced, by the brass whereon 
the name, was engraved being entirely broken off, that it cannot now with 
accuracy be ascertained. Mr. Stennett, a merchant of Boston, living there 
between 1713 and 1734, who was said to be a fine draughtsman, drew the 
churches of Boston and Walpole, and amongst many other monuments, 
that of Bramstone of Wisbech. 

* Epitaphs or monumental inscriptions are very ancient. In 516, king 
Arthur’s epitaph was inscribed on the inside of his leaden coffin : the next 
known in this country in point of antiquity is that of St. Augustine, 
first archbishop of Canterbury. 


260 


HISTORY OF 


“ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich. He 
“ bringeth low, and raiseth up. 

“ The aforesaid Matthias took to his wife Jane Booth, 
“ of a generous parentage, whose effigies, together with 
u his own, standeth here erected, by whom he had three 
“ sons and four daughters. 

“ VIRTUE EXCELLS EVERY ESCUTCHEON.”* 

On a brass, under this monument, is an inscription 
to Elizabeth Emerson, wife of the Rev. Thomas Emerson, 
vicar of this church, who died on the vigil of Saint 
Thomas the Apostle, 1625. 

On the same wall, is a handsome monument of marble 
and alabaster, with two figures kneeling before a desk, 
being those of a man and woman. He is in armour, and 
she dressed in black, with a black hat, according to the 
fashion of those times, with a smaller figure in a niche 
under a canopy; and on a tablet above is written— 

“ To the memory of their dear and deceased father, 
“ Thomas Parke, esq. and Audrey Parke, theire mother 
“ yet living, Sir Miles Sandys, knight, and dame 
“ Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heir of the said 
“ Thomas Parke, erected this monument. The said 


* Plato’s rule, that an epitaph should be comprised in four verses, 
(Hearnes Discourses ) is here transgressed. This monument is noticed 
in the Gentleman’s Magazine of 1774 as follows: “There is a 
. “ monument in Wisbech church of a linen draper, who is mentioned 

“ to have risen from nothing, and to have acquired great riches by his 
“ industry, and at last was made constable of the castle in the reign of 
“ Charles I.” 


WISBECH. 


261 


“ Thomas Parke was borne of a worthy family in the 
“ county of Huntingdon, was a justice of the peace of 
“ the isle of Ely, and high-sheriff of the counties of 
“ Cambridge and Huntingdon, and by his last will gave 
“ many large legacies to charitable uses, # —who lived 
“ religiously, virtuously, and generously, to the age of 
“ 87 years, and died 1st January 1630. ” 

Within the chancel rails, on the north side of the 
communion table, is a mural monument to the memory 
of Thomas Edwards, esq. high-bailiff of the liberty of 
the isle of Ely, deputy lieutenant and justice of the 
peace, who married Camilla, daughter of Thomas 
Browne, of Elsing Hall, in the county of Norfolk, esq. 
by whom he had seven sons and eleven daughters;— 
died 15th July 1705. 

On the south side of the communion table, is a neat 
monument to the memory of Hannah, the wife of 
Abraham Jobson, vicar of the parish, who died much 
lamented, 29th August 1803, aged 51. 

On the north side of the chancel wall, on the left 
of Matthias Taylor’s, is a monument to the Rev. William 
Coldwell, prebendary of Ely, and fifty-one years vicar 
of this church, died 1702.f 

On the south side of the chancel wall, is a monu¬ 
ment to Caroline Burroughs, wife of Dr. Burroughs, 


* See title—“ Parke,” in Public Charities. 

t His son, Thomas Coldwell, esq. was buried in Welwyn church, in Hert¬ 
fordshire, to whom a monument is erected by the side of that of the 
amiable Dr. Young, the celebrated author of the Night Thoughts. 


262 


HISTORY OF 


vicar, third daughter of Dr. Butts, late lord bishop of 
Ely, who died 31st July 1751, in childbed, leaving an 

onlv son. 

*/ 

On the pavement of tlie chancel, is a marble slab to 
the memory of the said Dr. Burroughs, who died in 
1773, aged 52; and of Jane Burroughs, his wife, 
daughter of Thomas Audley of Upwell, who died in 1798. 

Over the vestry door, is another neat monument of 
recent date, which expresses, that in a vault within the 
vestry are deposited the remains of Elizabeth, the wife 
of William Rayner, esq. # who died 6th December 1820, 
aged 68. 

On the floor of the chancel, arc several inscriptions on 
marble slabs, of many of the ancient families formerly 
resident at Wisbech, viz. 

Lawrance Banyer, esq. 

Henry Ferrour, esq. and Margaret his wife, who had 
seventeen children, and died 1672, aged 82. 

Yv illiam, son of the Hon. Richard Fiennes, esq. who 
married the daughter of the Rev. William Coldwell, 
vicar, and died in 1689, aged 35. 

Jane Balam, who died in 1690. 

William Hunston, esq. in 1691, 

Thomas Stevens, in 1696. 

Edward Southwell, in 1707. 


* This gentleman has passed an active and useful life within the town of 
Wisbech, as a merchant of high integrity and strict honour. He held the 
command of the volunteers for more than ten years, and afterwards, in 
1823, discharged the official duties of high-sheriff of the counties of Cam¬ 
bridge and Huntingdon. 


\ 





WISBECH, 


263 


James Anthony, esq, in 1732. 

Alice, wife of Ezekiel Flanner, in 1753. 

John Bellamy, vicar, who died in 1714, aged 45; and of 
Rebecca, his wife. 

Rev. John Clarkson and wife. 

John Whinnel, who died in 1715. 

Also a few more recent slabs to the memory of 

Catherine Girdlestone, obt. 15th June 1808, aged 34. 

Ihe Rev. Zachariah Stichall, A.M. curate, who died 
in 1808. 

Hannah and Christian Fraser, daughters of Alexander 
Fraser, M.D. who died, one in 1822, aged 19, and 
the other in 1823, aged 18. 

In the town or south chancel, are eight achievements 
or escutcheons of the family of Southwell, on the east 
wall of the chancel. 

A violent storm, which happened in 1613 and 1614, was 
commemorated until the year 1750, by an inscription on 
this wall, which was effaced at the time when the monu¬ 
ment erected to the memory of Edward Southwell, esq. was 
fixed up, after a transcript had been made of it as follows : 

“ To the immortal praise of God Almighty, that 
<e saveth his people in all adversities—Be it kept in per- 
“ petual memory, that on the feast of All Saints, being 
“ the 1st November, in the year of our Lord 1613, late in 
“ the night, the sea broke in, through the violence of a 
“ north east wind meeting with the spring tide, and over- 
“ flowed all Marshland, with this town of Wisbech, both 
“ on the north side and the south, and almost the whole 
“ hundred round about, to the great danger of men's 


264 


HISTORY OF 


“ lives, and the loss of’ some. Besides the exceeding 
i( great loss which these countries sustained through the 
“ breach of banks and spoil of corn, cattle, and houseing, 
“ which could not be estimated. 

“ The next year following, i. e. the year of our Lord 
“ 1614, upon the 23d day of March, this country was 
“ again overflowed with the fresh waters , which came 
u down in such great abundance, through the extraordi- 
u nary great snow that fell that year in January and 
“ February, that not only this town, whereof the south 
“ side only was lost, but the greatest part of the grounds 
u within the south Eau Bank in Holland, from Spalding 
“ to Tidd St. Giles, was drowned, and almost wholly 
“ lost for that year. 

“ Moreover, a great part of Marshland, from their 
“ bank called the Edge, between their towns and the 
“ Smeeth, to the new Podike, was lost through divers 
“ breaches between Salters Load and Downham bridge. 
u In conclusion, many towns in Norfolk, confining with 
u Marshland, and most part of this whole isle of Ely.” 

“ D. O.M. S. 

“ O frugum fyecunda domus nimiumque beata, 

“ Si male vicinis non premereris aquis. 

“ Quas, tu cum sedeas imis in vallibus, a te 

“ Quis prohibere undas, ni deus ipse potest ? 

“ Scilicet in fluctus nequicquam tenditur agger, 

“ Atque infida suo sedet arena mari. 

“ Quod si te impietas, fraudes, scortatio, faedus, 

“ Commaculant, ab aquis cur velet ista deus ? # 

* Of which a reverend friend, a former curate of Wisbech, has given the 
following translation, which he has kindly permitted to be transcribed : 


WISBECH. 


265 


k< Posuit Joshua Blaxtou in theologia Baccalaureus & 
" hujus ecclesise dignus vicarius.” 

To the cast wall of this chancel arc now affixed several 
monuments to the family of Southwell. 

To Edward Southwell, who married the daughter of 
Edward Dymokc, esq. of the family of the champion, 
born in 1694, and died in 1748, aged 54 ; also Jane, 
his widbw, who died in 1761, aged 68. 

Edward Southwell, gent, who died 1702, aged 41. 

Henry Southwell, esq. who died in 1762, aged 67, 

Francis, his widow, who died in 1785, aged 70, leaving 
three daughters—Frances, who died single ; Eliza¬ 
beth, who married John Warren, D.D. Lord Bishop 
of Bangor; Mary, wife of Sir James Eyre, Lord 
Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. 

John Southwell, esq. son of the last named Henry, 
who died in 1771, aged 35. 

Mrs. Frances Southwell, eldest daughter of Henry 
Southwell, who died in 1779, aged 51. 

Edward Southwell, son of Edward and Jane, who 
died in 1787, aged 59. # 

Against the south wall of the town chancel are placed 

O fruitful fane ! too happy would’st thou be, 

Wer’t thou from dread of inundation free, 

When floods shall menace this low marshy plain, 

’Tis God alone their fury can restrain. 

In vain its banks the rising waters brave, 

In vain the sand repels the foaming wave ; 

But should foul crimes thy sacred walls disgrace, 

In help divine thy trust how canst thou place 1 

* The monument of this gentleman is decorated by a figure of Hope, from 
the chisel of Nollekens, so beautiful that, were its position more favourable, 
it could not fail to excite general admiration. 


266 


HISTORY OF 


for public inspection, the Books of Martyrs, with a 
tablet expressing as follows : “ Robert Gooderidge, son of 
“ James Gooderidge, blacksmith, borne in Wisbech, 
“ deceased in London on Easter-day 1635, gave by his 
“ will £ 8. to buy these three books of martyrs, and 
“ to have them set in the church of Wisbech aforesaid, 
“ which was performed according to his will in the 
“ year 1636.” 

On the pavement in the town chancel are memorials 
to the following persons. 

R. Stevens, who died in 1696. 

Burgis Finch, in 1715. 

John Finch, in 1719. 

Rev. Burgis Finch, in 1748. 

William Ickwich, in 1760. 

William Skrimshire, in 1814. 

Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Met¬ 
calfe, in 1824. 

Thomas Cock, merchant, in 1722. 

John Cuthbert, in 1728. 

Mary Purkis, in 1734. 

Thomas Bener, in 1756. 

Susan, wife of Edward Cobb, of Snettisham, in 1733. 

William Long, in 1782. 

Edward Stewart, in 1794. 

Also a slab to the memory of George Worral, and Mary, 
his wife, only daughter of Dr. John Haslewood, S.T.P., 
Judge Advocate in king Charles the 2d’s reign. On his 
right side lies Amey Haslewood, widow of the said Dr. 
John Haslewood, and mother of Mrs. Worral, (said to 
have been related to queen Mary and queen Anne) died 
in 1736, aged 75. 


WISBECH. 


267 


Over one of the arches leading into the other chancel, 
is a monument erected by Sarah Delamore, to the 
memory of Mrs. Amey Worral, out of respect to her 
excellent virtues and disinterested friendship, who de¬ 
parted this life September 4th, 1795, aged 60, only 
daughter of George Worral, and Mary, his wife. 

And opposite thereto, on the south wall, is a monu¬ 
ment to Isaac Gann, esq. who died in 1763. 

Another slab commemorates Nicholas Sanford, des¬ 
cended from an ancient and religious house of Sanford 
Hall, in Shropshire, who died 1638, aged 75, whereon 
is the following inscription : 

“ He was 

“ A patterne for townesmen, whom we may enrole, 

“ For at his own charge this towne hee freed of tole.’* 

In the south aisle, on the wall, is a monument to 
Theophilus Buckworth, esq. who died 1698; and another 
to his wife Sarah. 

Also to Admiral Fox, who died in 1763 ; and 

Robert Harris, apothecary of London, who died in 
1722.* 

At the south-west wall, near to the library, is a monu¬ 
ment to Dr. Massey, who died in 1773, aged 79, descended 
from a very ancient and respectable family in Cheshire : 
erected by Edward Cross, gent, who married his only 
daughter and heiress. 

* Mr. Harris was possessed of the estate called White Hall, on the 
north brink at Wisbech. 


268 


HISTORY OF 


In the south aisle, adjoining the middle aisle, are 
slabs to 

Eleanor Taylor, who died in 1751. 

Edward Warmoll, in 1772. 

In the cross aisle, leading to the south w r all:— 

Thomas Fox, esq. 

Thomas Abbott. 

In the south aisle, under the south windows :— 

Hugh Maplesden, who died in 1786. 

Robert Twells, esq. in 1730. 

At the west end :— 

Robert Garnham, who died in-1792. 

Catherine, wife of James Watson, in 1822. 

On the north side of one of the naves, are tw r o 
elegant modern monuments; one to Mary Gynn, 
widow, who died in 1811, aged 83; and the other to 
Eliza, William, and Thomas Hardwicke, daughter and 
sons of Thomas Hardwicke, commander of the Bengal 
artillery.* 

On the wall of the north aisle, is a monument 
inscribed to William Moore, grandson of William 
Underwood, esq. who was one of the bailiffs of the 
Bedford level corporation, a deputy lieutenant, and 
justice of the peace, who died in 1802. 


* See the services of this meritorious officer, (who has since been raised 
to the rank of major-general), under the title ‘ Biography.’ 


WISBECH. 


269 


In St. Martin’s chapel are monuments to Thomas 
Wood, who married the daughter of Charles Vavazor, 
esq. 

Also to the said Charles Vavazor, who died in 1750. 

Also Sir Philip Vavazor,* who died in 1796. 

Also Peter East, who died in 1713. 

Also a small tablet to Alice Watson,T widow of Cooke 
Watson esq. who died 24th September 1808, aged 79. 

In the cross aisle, at the entrance of the north door, 
are slabs to the memory of Richard Shepherd, esq. who 
died in 1823, and of Mr. and Mrs. Usill, the former of 
whom died in 1805, and the latter in 1824, with various 
others more recent, besides many old slabs which, 
though bearing marks of inscription, are too much 
defaced and obliterated to be deciphered. 

A quotation from Addison may serve as a proper con¬ 
clusion of this article : “ When I look upon the tombs 
“ of the great, every emotion of envy dies in me ; when 
“ I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate 
“ desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents 
“ on a tomb stone, my heart melts with compassion; 
“ when I see the tombs of parents themselves, I consider 
“ the vanity of grieving for those whom we must 
“ quickly follow.” 

* He was high sheriff of the county of Cambridge in 1761, and knighted 
by his majesty on carrying up the address on the coronation. 

t Alice Watson was the grand-daughter of Alice Jermy, descended 
from John Jermy, knight, by Margaret, his wife, one of the daughters and 
co-lieiresses of Roger Bigott, earl of Norfolk, and earl marshall of England, 
temp. Edward II. See Blomfield’s Norfolk, Title ‘ Aylsham.’ Alice Watson 
was the venerable mother of the compiler of this work. 


270 


HISTORY OF 


The following vicars of Wisbech may be found on 
record : 

POPISH. A.D. 

William de Nor wold. 1252 

Dr. Rogers . 1338 

John Bolin. 1349 

William de Newton . 1384 

JohnJuddeor Rudde . 1401 

John Ockham, LL.D. 1422 

William Abyinton. —— 

John Clampain. 1448 

John Warkworth, D.D. 1472 

William Gybbs. 1473 

William Doughty, LL. D. # . 1494 

John Wyatt . 1503 

Robert Cliffe, LL.D. 1525 

John Cheesewright . . 

William Lord .. 1537 

William Hande. 1544 

Henry Ogle . 1549 

Hugh Margesson, A.B. 1554 

PROTESTANT. 

Matthew Champion. 1587 

Joshua Blaxton, B.D. 1613 

Thomas Emerson . 1615 

Edward Furnis, A.M. 1630 

William Cold well. 1651 

John Bellamy, A.M. 1702 

* He was rector also of Newton in 1495, and resigned that rectory in 
1498 also rector of Elin in 1500, and chancellor of Ely. 
























WISBECH. 


271 


Thomas Cole, A.M. # . 1714 

Henry Bull, D.D. 1721 


Henry Burrough, LL.D. 1749 

John Warren, D.D.f . 1773 

James Burslem, LL.D.J. 1779 

Hon. and Rev. C. Lindsay, A.M.§ 1787 

Caesar Morgan, D.D. 1795 

Abraham Jobson, D.D. 1802 

The list of vicars here introduced is believed to be 
correct, the same having been furnished by the Rev. Dr. 
Jobson ; but mention is made of a vicar named “ Lee,” 
in Coles’ MSS. in the troublesome times of Charles I. 
who, in December 1643, was accused of saying,—the 
parliament had wit enough, if they had but grace enough 
to use it—of calling a good minister (Mr. Alleston) 
u brother red face”'—of drinking prince Rupert’s health, 
and saying, upon the loss of Gainsborough, that Crom¬ 
well, as valiant as he was, turned his back in the face of 
his enemies, and bid his soldiers shift for themselves ; and 
of preaching against extempore prayer, saying, it was 
vain babbling. Whereupon it is said that his living of 
Wisbech was sequestered. Some error has probably 
crept in, as to this gentleman having held the vicarage of 
Wisbech, or of its being sequestered as above-mentioned, 
as his name is not to be found in the parish register, 
or in the list of the Wisbech vicars. 


* Promoted to the deanery of Norwich, and died at the deanery house 
6th February 1731. 

t Preferred to the bishopric of St. David’s in 1779, and in 1783 trans¬ 
lated to Bangor. 

$ The Rev. Dr. Burslem was appointed by his majesty to the vicarage, 
on its becoming void, by the election of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Warren, preferred 
to the bishopric of St. David's. 

§ Youngest son of the earl Balcarras, and brother in law to the Rt. lion, 
the earl of Hardwicke,—now bishop of Kildare, in Ireland. 





272 


HISTORY OF 


Registers. 

The registering of baptisms, marriages, and burials in 
parishes commenced with the reformation, and was 
instituted by lord Cromwell 13th Henry VIII. 1522, 
whilst he was vicar-general to that king. By the canons 
of the church of England now in force, which date 
their authority from the beginning of the reign of king 
James I. 1603, one of them prescribes very minutely 
in what manner entries are to be made in parish registers, 
herein reciting the injunctions of 1538, and ordering an 
attested copy of the registers to be annually transmitted 
to the bishop of the diocese. It is said that most 
registers w^ere re-copied at Elizabeth’s succession, that 
all remains of popery in her sister’s reign might be 
obliterated. Very few have been preserved in a more 
perfect state than those in Wisbech church, commencing 
with the year 1558, and in the early part of the register, 
there is the appearance of their having been trans¬ 
cribed. They are brought down to the present day 
with great regularity. From these registers an extract 
has been carefully made, shewing the actual number 
in each year of the several baptisms, marriages, and 
burials, from 1558 to 1826 inclusive. 


Year. 

Bap¬ 

tisms. 

Marri¬ 

ages.* 

Burials 1 

i 

Y ear. 

Bap¬ 

tisms. 

Mar¬ 

riages. 

Burials 

1568 

26 

7 

— 

1566 

53 

23 

39 

1559 

39 

13 

43 

1567 

43 

18 

26 

1560 

48 

22 

40 

1568 

47 

23 

84 

1561 

46 

16 

50 

1569 

39 

15 

55 

1562 

57 

12 

33 

1570 

44 

21 

50 

1563 

48 

14 

31 

1571 

43 

14 

42 

1564 

55 

11 

36 

1572 

52 

10 

38 

1565 

34 

18 

46 

1573 

50 

14 

52 


* It has been computed, there are nine births to two marriages. Thirty- 
two years are reckoned to a generation, at the end of which period the whole 
human race is renewed. It is said 25,000000 of mankind die every year, 
2853 every hour, and 47 every minute. 



















WISBECH. 


273 


Y ear. 

Bap¬ 

tisms. 

Mar¬ 

riages. 

Burials. 

Year. 

Bap¬ 

tisms. 

Mar¬ 
riages. 1 

3urials. 

1574 

45 

16 

59 

1616 1 

44 | 

37 

146 

1575 

44 

17 

54 

1617 

82 

47 

105 

1576 

58 

21 

48 

1618 

67 

32 

88 

1577 

51 

12 

59 

1619 

86 

24 

78 

1578 

63 

26 

42 

1620 

80 

36 

91 

J579 

60 

26 

44 

1621 

94 

21 

67 

1580 

57 

25 

30 

1622 

86 

26 

76 

1581 

64 

19 

31 

1623 

62 

30 

123 

1582 

64 

27 

51 

1624 

92 

23 

94 

1583 

55 

32 

62 

1625 

68 

25 

93 

1584 

62 

38 

95 

1626 

77 

30 

87 

1585 

45 

25 

67 

1627 

66 

36 

82 

1586 

67 

20 

72 

1628 

103 

17 

62 

1587 

65 

34 

206 

1629 

88 

31 

71 

1588 

64 

33 

97 

1630 

80 

41 

121 

1589 

77 

27 

74 

1631 

79 

32 

120 

1590 

78 ! 

32 

147 

1632 

115 

25 

95 

1591 

53 

40 

158 

1633 | 

104 

31 

97 

1592 

83 

33 

177 

1634 

109 

25 

110 

1593 

79 

33 

95 

1635 

123 

23 

114 

1594 

63 

44 

67 

1636 

114 

24 

84 

1595 

96 

1 26 

108 

1637 

123 

37 

121 

1596 

92 

18 

102 

1638 

107 

28 

248 

1597 

64 

18 

99 

1639 

82 

33 

169 

1598 

98 

23 

108 

1640 

95 

40 

129 

1599 

86 

26 

96 

1641 

124 

32 

124 

1600 

78 

22 

73 

1642 

120 

34 

128 

1601 

89 

37 

64. 

1643 

151 

19 

106 

1602 

82 

32 

107 

1644 

99 

34 

121 

1603 

96 

32 

64 

1645 

115 

26 

73 

1604 

67 

35 

98 

1646 

99 

48 

76 

1605 

83 

41 

119 

1647 

116 

36 

77 

1606 

76 

26 

94 

1648 

89 

35 

101 

1607 

88 

34 

82 

1649 

116 

37 

81 

1608 

94 

30 

84 

1650 

103 

33 

135 

1609 

86 

25 

101 

1651 

143 

37 

127 

1610 

90 

31 

119 

1652 

125 

*6 

182 

1611 

96 

32 

108 

1653 

130 

42 

78 

1612 

86 

17 

114 

1654 

110 

48 

140 

1613 

83 

26 

95 

1655 

127 

49 

115 

1614 

77 

24 

89 

1656 

129 

14 

148 

1615 

63 

1 21 

128 

1657 

99 

1 33 

1 193 


* The marriage ceremony, (luring the commonwealth, was olten per¬ 
formed by a justice of the peace. 



























274 


HISTORY OF 


Year. 

Bap¬ 
tisms. i 

Mar- 

iages. 

lurials 

Year. 

Bap¬ 

tisms. 

Mar¬ 

riages. 

Burials 

1658 1 

67 

17 

182 1 

1700 I 

141 

32 

127 

1659 

121 

26 

180 

1701 

121 

29 

137 

1660 

136 

17 

100 

1702 

136 

32 

158 

1661 

118 

22 

136 

1703 

138 

36 

152 

1662 

123 

21 

135 

1704 

97 

37 

214 

1663 

114 

36 

142 

1705 

131 

40 

170 

1664 

153 

22 

200 

1706 

120 

49 

166 

1665 

113 

31 

118 

1707 

134 

49 

176 

1666 

132 

21 

187 

1708 

146 

65 

195 

1667 

116 

21 

181 

1709 

137 

43 

133 

1668 

109 

22 

179 

1710 

121 

54 

118 

1669 

116 

19 

226 

1711 

132 

43 

150 

1670 

121 

36 

181 

1712 

128 

47 

111 

1671 

116 

34 

178 

1713 

144 

48 

121 

1672 

143 

■ 28 

196 

1714 

145 

48 

138 

1673 

146 

20 

127 

1715 

151 

46 

134 

1674 

116 

34 

102 

1716 

150 

45 

150 

1675 1 

138 

18 

119 

1717 

185 

45 

139 

1676 

125 

20 

152 

1718 

130 

28 

202 

1677 

132 

26 

162 

1719 

145 

39 

270 

1678 

117 

24 

168 

1720 

135 

51 

272 

1679 

84 

37 

170 

1721 ' 

133 

70 

152 

1680 

HI 

23 

207 

1722 

169 

54 

181 

1681 

96 

22 

143 

1723 

181 

55 

184 

1682 

112 

28 

149 

1724 

I 169 

46 

196 

1683 

110 

29 

102 

1725 

156 

49 

178 

1684 

116 

22 

107 

1726 

163 

43 

160 

1685 

85 

31 

95 1 

1727 

148 

48 

309" 

1686 

133 

37 

142 

1728 

126 

69 

207 

1687 

91 

56 

119 

1729 

139 

60 

158 

1688 

94 

21 

113 

1730 

126 

46 

168 

1689 

80 

31 

117 

1731 

152 

56 

150 

1690 

83 

22 

103 

1732 

164 

38 

179 

1691 

121 

11 

180 

1733 

144 

50 

151 

1692 

89 

33 

123 

1734 

134 

37 

157 

1693 

106 

26 

165 

1735 

147 

37 

147 

1694 

81 

34 

118 

1736 

142 

32 

222 

1695 

114 

35 

144 

1737 

124 

30 

198 

1696 

107 

26 

134 

1738 

120 

40 

150 

1697 

129 

31 

102 

1739 

126 

25 

130 

1698 

135 

22 

101 

1740 

131 

35 

m 

1699 

128 

25 

132 

1 1741 

1 106 

61 

201 


* In this year the very large number of 300 were buried: this gre^t 
mortality is not acccounted for. 



























WISBECH. 


275 


Year. 

Bap¬ 

tisms. 

Mar¬ 

riages. 

Burials 

| i ear. 

Bap¬ 

tisms. 

Mar¬ 

riages. 

Burials 

1742 

101 

i 41 

| 135 

1785 

142 

40 

79 

1743 

113 

38 

136 

1786 

121 

40 

143 

1744 

94 

37 

115 

1787 

119 

59 

108 

1745 

110 

26 

125 

1788 

145 

62 

140 

1746 

111 

27 

117 

1789 

156 

53 

131 

1747 

97 

45 

183 

1790 

161 

55 

142 

1748 

98 

33 

156 

1791 

161 

57 

135 

1749 

92 

26 

131 

1792 

167 

58 

127 

1750 

106 

36 

93 

1793 

168 

55 

183 

1751 

72 

38 

112 

1794 

178 

52 

133 

1752 

112 

36 

119 

1795 

137 

41 

153 

1753 

103 

23 

89 

1796 

148 

36 

160 

1754 

67 

33 

103 

1797 

146 

78 

134 

1755 

121 

38 

154 

1798 

169 

59 

164 

1756 

104 

41 

182 

1799 

150 

57 

122 

1757 

107 

22 

160 

1800 

159 

60 

140 

1758 

114 

29 

119 

1801 

171 

32 

236 

1759 

115 

27 

140 

1802 

150 

64 

182 

1760 

125 

42 

101 

1803 

184 

56 

144 

1761 

102 

41 

107 

1804 

188 

65 

138 

1762 

125 

34 

153 

1805 

162 

37 

115 

1763 

102 

48 

183 

1806 

161 

69 

105 

1764 

123 

48 

185 

1807 

168 

53 

159 

1765 

133 

41 

94 

1808 

153 

59 

174 

1766 

144 

39 

102 

1809 

139 

55 

163 

1767 

122 

41 

190 

1810 

156 

57 

133 

1768 

126 

34 

158 

1811 

158 

* 55 

130 

1769 

145 

43 

127 

1812 

168 

60 

110 

1770 

151 

35 

109 

1813 

168 

60 

83 

1771 

124 

38 

132 

1814 

188 

63 

1 17 

1772 

134 

53 

124 

1815 

185 

57 

139 

1773 

118 

43 

149 

1816 

174 

58 

87 

1774 

139 

35 

112 

1817 

203 

57 

155 

1775 

120 

40 

114 

1818 

176 

66 

129 

1776 

152 

19 

98 

1819 

206 

66 

131 

1777 

130 

45 

101 

1820 

193 

69 

111 

1778 

125 

42 

186 

1821 

201 

60 

133 

J 779 

96 

38 

188 

1822 

245 

57 

176 

1780 

93 

37 

200 

1823 

211 

80 

176 

1781 

92 

43 

186 

1824 

311 

79 

147 

1782 

119 

49 

176 

1825 

245 

72 

145 

1783 

115 

50 

181 

1826 

209 

53 

147 

1784 

114 

54 

178 






s 
























276 


HISTORY OF 


In the year 1610, is a remarkable entry amongst the 
baptisms, of which the following is a translation : 

“2d January 1610. Prudence, the wife of William 
“ Holliday, a woman remarkably small, brought forth 
“ four children at a birth, three males and one female, 
“ perfect in all their features, of whom two as soon as bom 
“ expired, having quickly measured their course of this 
“ life, and were committed to Christian burial; two, 
“ being brought for baptism, are bound in the sacrament 
“ of regeneration, namely, Robert the son, and Elizabeth 
“ the daughter of William Holliday, and washed by 
“ solemn rite in the sacred font.” 

It is observed, that there are annually more in propor¬ 
tion born than die, so that if there die ten, we may for the 
most part reckon that there are twelve born. By the 
above register, however, it appears that from 1558 to 
1788, (230 years) there were more burials than baptisms, 
and from that period to 1825, (37 years) there were more 
baptisms than burials. To what is the late excess of 
births over burials to be attributed, when formerly the 
reverse was generally the case ? 


The greatest number of baptisms, marriages, and 
burials in any one year appears to have been as under : 


Baptisms. 

Marriages. 

Burials. 

A. D. 

A.D. 

A.D. 

In 16th cent. 1598 98 

In 1594 .. 44 

In 1687 .. 206 

17th cent. 1664 163 

1687 .. 56 

1538 .. 248 

18th cent. 1717 185 

1797 .. 78 

1727 .. 309 


In each of the following years—1587, 1638, 1669, 
1680, 1704, 1718, 1719, 1720, 1728, 1736, 1741, 180l’ 
the burials exceeded the number of two hundred. 










WISBECH. 


277 


The next object of ancient note within the town is the 
construction of 


THE BRIDGE 

over the great river. It has been found impracticable 
to ascertain at what period a bridge was first built at 
Wisbech. The town appears from very remote times to 
have stood part on one side, and part on the other side of 
the river; whence it is reasonable to infer that a more 
convenient mode of communication than a ferry would be 
early established. And that such a mode of communi¬ 
cation did in fact exist some years prior to the commence¬ 
ment of the fourteenth century is indisputable, inasmuch 
as mention is made of the ruinous state of the bridge at a.d. 
Wisbech in the first year of Edward III. when John 1326. 
Hotham, # bishop of Ely, obtained a grant of a custom 


* Extract from the records of the court of chancery, preserved in the 
tower of London, 5th Edward, after the conquest, John Hotham, then 
bishop : 


Depontagio'\'Rex venerabili in 
episcopo f Christo patri Jolian- 
Eliensi i ni eadem gratia Eli- 
concesso. J ensi episcopo saltm 
Scatis quod ad requisitio- 
nem vestram in auxilium pontis 
ville vestras de Wysbeche qui 
dirutus est et confractus ut 
accepimus reparand et emendand 
concessimus vobis quod a vicesimo 
sexto die Aprilis proxime futuri 
usque ad finem trium annorum 
tunc proximi sequentium plenar 
complet capiatis per manus 
illorum de quibus confiditis de 
rebus venalibus ad eandem 


Of pontage'VThe King to the right 
granted to * rev. father in Christ, 
the bishop ( John, by the same grace 
of Ely. bishop of Ely greeting: 
Know ye , that at your request, 
in aid of amending and repairing 
the bridge of your town of Wyse- 
beche, which is decayed and 
broken, as we are informed, we 
have granted to you, that from 
the 26th April next ensuing, 
to the end of three years 
then next following, to be 
fully completed, ye take by the 
hands of those in whom ye 
confide, of things for sale 

2 


278 


HISTORY OF 


or tax on all saleable goods going into the town of 
Wisbech, such as horses, hay, corn, &c. for the space 
of three years, which custom or tax was declared to be 
so specially granted for the purpose of doing reparation to 
the bridge of Wisbech, at that time ruinous. About one 
a.d. hundred years after this period, all who had lands in the 
1426. Old Market were on an inquisition ordered to contribute to 
the repairs of the bridge. It is evident, by examining 
various documents and inquisitions taken for seventy or 
eighty years afterwards before the commissioners of sewers, 
wherein Wisbech high bridge is repeatedly mentioned, 
that at some time the lord bishop of Ely, and the land¬ 
holders of the north side of the river of Wisbech, and 
the township there; and at other times the bishop of 
Ely, and the inhabitants and landholders within the 
hundred of Wisbech, were considered liable to the 
1533. repairs. In the year 1533, an inquisition was taken 
before the commissioners of sewers as follows: “ That 
u the great brigge of Wysbiche, called the High Brigge, 
“ is in decay for lack of making of the pavement, and 
u also that the south east pier is likely to fall into the 
“ river, and that it ought to be made by the bishop of 


villam sive ad forum ejusdem 
villse venientibus consuetudines 
subscriptas viz. &c. Et idio vobis 
mandamus quod predictas con- 
suetudiues usq at finem annorum 
predictorum capiatis sicut pre¬ 
dictum est completis autem annis 
predictis dictse consuetudines 
penitus cessent et desinant 
In cujus &c. 


coming to the town, or to the 
market of the said town, the customs 
following, that is to say, &c. and 
therefore, w r e command you that 
ye take the aforesaid customs to 
the end of the years aforesaid, as 
is above mentioned; but the said 
years being completed, let the said 
customs cease and be at an end. 
In witness, &c. 


P ipsum Regem et Consilium By the King and Counsel. 

This document was furnished to the compiler by Steed Girdlestone, esq. 


WISBECH. 


279 


“ Ely, and the landholders of the north side of the river 
“ of Wysbiche, and the township there.” 

At another time presentment was made, “ that the a.d. 
“ great brigge of the towne of Wysbiche was in decay, 1571. 
“ wherefore we will that it be sufficiently repaired and 
“ amended by the lord bishop of Ely, and all the whole 
“ inhabitants and landholders within the hundred of 
“ Wysbiche, viz. the lord bishop for one part, and all 
“ the aforesaid townships for two parts,—every town 
“ according to the rate of their tenure.” In the pro¬ 
ceedings of the body corporate of Wisbech, dated 9th 
September 1583, an order is made, “ that the carpenters 1583. 
“ and laborers should begin to work upon the great 
u bridge of Wysbiche; ” and in January following, 
there was an agreement that the collectors of the bridge 
should gather the fourth of the sum assessed on every 
person within the town of Wisbech, for the sum of 
£7. 16s. of them to be gathered and collected of the 
inhabitants, the assessment for the building thereof, the 
whole charge whereof was £51. 4s. 10e?. of which the 
queen’s part was assessed at £33. 8s. and but £ 30. 
being paid, there was to be distrained for the queen’s 
part £3. 8s. The commissioners of sewers resolved, in 1586. 
this year, that the bishop of Ely should defray one third 
part of the expense of keeping the bridge in repair. After 
the incorporation of the burgesses, the town of Wisbech 1612. 
was indicted for not repairing the bridge, which in¬ 
dictment the burgesses traversed at the expense of 
the tow r n. At the same time the inhabitants took 
some pains in searching the tower records, but the 
result is not stated. At length a bridge was ordered 
to be built, and the justices appointed a treasurer for 
receiving all the monies to be levied within the 



280 


HISTORY OF 


hundred of Wisbech, “ for the new making of the great 
“ bridge,” and a rate of £90. was laid upon the town. 
Some difficulty afterwards arose as to the fencing of the 
end thereof, when it was declared that it should be 
at the charge of the hundred , which, it was conceived, 
ought to do it. The bridge then erected was of wood, 
and on its being stated that a brick wall would be 
necessary at the foot, the corporation took that charge 
upon themselves, together with the assessment made, 
with an understanding <i that it should be no precedent 
“ in future, but that Elm and the towns of Well * should 
“ contribute to maintaining the bridge as formerly.” 
When the bridge again began to go to ruin, an order 
a.d. of sessions was made “ that the bridge being in decay, 
1637. “ the inhabitants of the hundred of Wisbech were and 
** ought to repair the same,” and the justices made a 
rate according to the ancient manner of ratage, for the 
speedy repairing of the bridge, and appointing surveyors 
for the work, with a treasurer to receive the monies 
assessed. Doubts, however, still existing as to the 
liability of the parties actually bound to repair, an 
indictment was directed to be preferred against the 
hundred, and counsel were retained accordingly to try 
the question at the assizes. The event, however, is as 
before neglected to be recorded, though a resolution 
of the body corporate is entered into, in order to prevent 
any process for levying issues on the town, as to the 
repairs ; which is followed up by another order to provide 
timber to repair, “ on behalf of the bishop of Ely, the 
<i country, and the burgesses.” There are several orders 

t " v i 

* Among the ancient records in the lord bishop’s registry is an entry 
as follows : “ That the men of Wells were bound to furnish five boats 
“ to transport the bishop and his suite from Wisbech ; and if the five 
“ boats were not sufficient, that the men of Wisbech were to supply the 

residue necessary.” 


WISBECH. 


281 


on the corporation books after this period, directing 
workmen to repair, and agreeing with others for the 
bridge being kept in repair, for seven years, at a certain a.d. 
annual sum; and in 1651, one hundred pounds were 1651. 
paid by the corporation towards building the bridge 
over the great river. In the year 1729, a petition of 1729. 
the justices of the peace, merchants, land-owners, and 
chief inhabitants of Wisbech, was presented to the 
house of commons, setting forth that the roads from 
Tid Gote to Wisbech, and thence to Guyhirn ferry, on 
the south side of Wisbech river, were very much out 
of repair, and almost impassable, being a very great road 
for waggons, beast, and sheep to London, which were 
obliged to go over Wisbech bridge , which roads and 
bridge had been a great and continual charge to the 
neighbourhood, and praying, amongst other things, that 
power might be granted to impose a reasonable toll for 
the effectual repair of the said roads, as well as Wisbech 
bridge.* This petition was not productive of any 
beneficial result, either as to the future support of the 
bridge, or amendment of the roads at that period. The 
progress of time naturally led to the decay of the frail 
materials of which the ancient structure was composed, 
which becoming at length in a most ruinous condition, 
it was resolved, on a view being taken by the corporation, 1756. 
by whom its insecure state was admitted, that it would 
be impracticable to proceed with the restoration of 
the old bridge to any effect, but that it would be desirable 
to erect one of more durable materials, so that it was 
determined to take the old erection down, and build a 
new one of stone. The same was agreed to be of one 
arch, if practicable, and to be in the situation where the 


♦ Coles’ MSS. 


282 


HISTORY OF 


a*d. old bridge then stood, if it could be done without pre- 

1757. judice to the navigation. A plan was drawn and laid 
before the town hall, and the burgesses at large were 
called upon to meet in common hall, and to assent to or 
dissent from borrowing money by the capital burgesses 
upon their lands and tenements, towards defraying the 
expenses of building the said bridge, which was then 
determined upon, and £ 1200. were ordered to be 
borrowed on the corporation revenues. A plan and 
elevation were now delivered in, which were submitted to 
Mr. (afterwards Sir James) Burrough, master of Caius 
College, Cambridge, touching the strength and width 
thereof, w T ith a request for his opinion, whether the 
arch were of such curvature as would be likely to stand 
and answer the purpose of a bridge ; who approving 
thereof, a contract was entered into for £ 1750. and 
the materials of the old bridge. A ferry and floating- 
bridge were provided, with a horse boat to ply from the 

1758. White Hart inn, on the north brink, the corporation 

' 

having regulated the fares. The work then commenced, 
and the first stone was laid, with an inscription engraved 
on a plate as follows : 


Ex Ligneo 
Surrexit Lapideus 
a.d. 1758. 

Esto perpetuus. 

In the progress of the work, the estimate was found 
insufficient, and upon a meeting of the burgesses, to 
consider the propriety of borrowing £ 500. more, it was 
unanimously agreed to. The work then proceeded with 

1759. spirit, and was satisfactorily completed. The bridge thus 
erected is worthy of admiration. It forms a handsome 


WISBECH. 


/ 


283 


elliptical arch of seventy-two feet span. The principal ob¬ 
jection lies to the width, the space within the balustrades 
being so confined as not to allow two carriages to pass 
at the same time. This inconvenience is felt and acknow¬ 
ledged by all, and might be remedied, in which case the 
bridge would become admired, as much for its conve¬ 
nience as it is now for its elegance. But all partial 
meliorations are now suspended, on account of the 
important works in contemplation, in regard to the 
improvement of the river and the passage of the waters 
through the town, which may probably render it 
necessary to remove the bridge itself, and erect another 
of larger dimensions. The present stone bridge having 
by time and accidents fallen into decay, the liability a.d. 
of repair again became a question, whether the isle of 1813. 
Ely or the body corporate was the responsible party. 

And for the purpose of bringing the question to a final 
issue, not only for the present but future repairs, an 
indictment was preferred at Cambridge Lammas assizes, 

1813, against the inhabitants of the isle, and, on trial 
before a jury there, it was determined by the court, that 
the repairs done by the corporation from time to time 
discharged the said inhabitants, and fixed the burthen 
on the corporation for ever; for that if that body 
were not originally liable, they had furnished evidence . 
against themselves, so as to make them now liable, 
unless stronger evidence could be adduced to fix the 
expense on the isle at large. 

THE GUILD HALL. 

Whilst the guild or fraternity of the holy trinity 
exercised its authority in the town, the members held 
their meetings at a public hall or room, the description 
of which is so uncertain, that it is difficult now to 


284 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. discover where it was actually situated. Amongst 
1379. the first proceedings of the guild, a sum of money is 
mentioned to be paid for ornamenting the hall, and in 
1473. 1473, the guild gave orders for the purchasing of two 
hundred reed for the repair of their hall, which, though 
it does not convey any idea of a magnificent building, 
1477. still accords with the simplicity of early times. In 1477, 
Thomas Barker is stated to appear before the vicar, and 
other co-fraters, in the guild hall of the holy trinity, to 
1524. grant certain alms in perpetuity. In the year 1524, 
every brother and sister were ordered to give their atten¬ 
dance, and come to the “ guild hall ” every year, and to 
go with the alderman from the said hall to the church. 
1549. When king Edward VI. granted his charter, he directed 
that the inhabitants should meet at a certain house in the 
town called the “ common hall.” And at the time the 
possessions of the guild fell into the hands of the king, one 
William Bellman is stated to have built an elleemosinary 
1583. house, called in modern language a guild hall. In 1583, 
an entry is recorded “ concerning the house to be 
“ furnished for the meeting of the ten men,” which it 
is conjectured was the house given by William Bellman, 
and appropriated for the purpose of a town hall, wherein 
the body corporate should hold their public meetings. 
1586. Very shortly after, viz. in 1586, the town was divided 
into ten wards, with a particular description of each, in 
one of which it is shewn clearly that the town hall was 
1651. situated in “ Shippe Lane,” # and about sixty-five years 
after this period, John Crane, Esq/f gave £100. for 

* This old town hall and grammar school in Ship Lane are now intended 
to be entirely pulled down, and the ground thrown open for a public road. 
See further, ‘ Grammar School ’ (next chapter.) 

t See Crane’s will, dated 26th June 1651, amongst the ‘Public 
‘ Charities.’ 


WISBECH. 


285 


making additions to the hall, wherein the capital 
burgesses met to transact their public business, which 
donation is well known by documents to have been 
expended in the erecting of an additional room at the back 
of the old grammar school, on the north side of Ship 
Lane, which continued to be used as the common hall a.d. 
for all public purposes until the year 1810, when it 1810. 
being found inconvenient in many respects, the capital 
burgesses resolved to set apart the large room in the 
building then recently erected by them under the same 
roof as the custom house, (and built at the expense 
of the capital burgesses) to be used in future for the 
purposes of all their public meetings, and to be called 
the “ new town halland the town arms, which are the 
cross keys, (the emblem of St. Peter) and the painting of 
Edward VI. were removed from the old hall, and placed 
in the new one, together with the portrait of the 
Rev. Dr. Jobson. 


THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

Is upon the same site whereon the old town hall stands, 
on the north side of Ship Lane, in the front thereof, 
but the original erection and appropriation, both of the 
building for the school and the master’s house, are 
enveloped in the same mystery as the guild hall. It is 
not improbable that it was the gift of William Bellman, 
about 1549. The guild of the holy trinity is before 
shown to have been founded in 2d Richard II. and 1379. 
confirmed by him in the twentieth year of his reign, for 
several religious purposes, and, amongst other things, for 
a free school there, “ to educate and bring up youths.” 

The first time the name of the schoolmaster appears 


286 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. in the corporation records is in 1506, when an order was 

1506. made that “ the schoolmaster should have eight marks 
“ sterling for his wages,” plainly indicating that the 
appointment was not recent, and indeed in Coles’ MSS. 
the name of “ Jacob Cresner ” is found as master in 
1446. The inhabitants of Wisbech availed themselves 
of the foundation of this school, in their solicitation for 
a re-grant of the possessions of the guild of the holy 
trinity at the time of its dissolution. And it is provided 
by the charter of Edward VI., that there should be a 
school or permanent place of learning in the town, for 
the instruction of boys and young men in grammatical 
knowledge and polite learning, as in the said town had 
theretofore been accustomed ; and that there should be 
thenceforward supported there for ever, a schoolmaster, 
learned in the Latin and Greek languages, and imbued 
with virtuous morals, to instruct such youths; and that 
the master should have for his salary and stipend annually 
of the burgesses, £12. The capital burgesses were 
also empowered to nominate and appoint the schoolmaster, 
with the approbation of any other ten burgesses, as 
often as the mastership should become vacant. And 
the bishop of Ely for the time being has the “ visitation, 
“ reformation, and correction,” as well of the school¬ 
master, as of the school, and on the quadrennial visitations 
of his lordship in this deanery, the senior boy of the 
school delivers a Latin oration in his lordship’s presence. 

1628. In 1628, Thomas Parke, esq. left, by his will, twenty- 
eight acres of land in Elm. Four acres of land in Wisbech 
were allotted to the school from the common of Crabb 
marsh ; and John Crane, esq. in 1651, left a further 
addition “ to amend the schoolmaster’s wages,” by 
giving him a moiety of the rents of the Black Bull 


i 


WISBECH. 


287 


estate,* which was vested in the capital burgesses for 
that purpose, and which moiety produced at the time 
<£20. per annum, and it is still paid by them, although 
the premises were sold in the year 1801, under the act 
for redemption of the land tax. Mr. Parke also founded 
four bye fellowships of £16. per annum each, at Peter- 
house, Cambridge, and four scholarships of £ 10. per 
annum each. For this purpose, lands and tenements in 
Wisbech, Leverington, Guyhirn, and Elm, were con¬ 
veyed to the college. The heirs of Mr. Parke were to 
nominate the fellows alternately with the college ; but it 
does not appear that there is any preference reserved for 
the inhabitants of Wisbech, as to the appointments to 
either of these foundations. In 1638, Mr. William 
Holmes, of the city of Exeter, directed by deed £ 400. to 
be laid out in the purchase of lands, partly for the poor, 
and partly for two scholars at St, Mary Magdalen college, 
Cambridge ; afterwards, by his will dated 2d April 1656, 
he directed that the land purchased with this money 
should be appropriated to the scholars only. Lands in 
Ilolbeach, in the county of Lincoln, were bought with 
this bequest, which are now let for £60. per annum. 
In addition to this real property, the scholarship fund in 
the three per cent, consols amounts to £ 2200. 35. 2 d. 
stock, besides cash in the accountant general's hands for 
an unapplied balance of £ 160. Is. 10c?. after the 
recent purchase of £ 166. 19s. stock. These sums are 
the produce of savings which have been made when the 
scholarships were not full. The scholarships are, there¬ 
fore, at this time worth 


A.D. 

1638. 


* Now called the New Inn. 


HISTORY OF 


(£• 5 * dm 


For rent. 60 0 0 

Interest of £ 2200. 3s. 2d. stock 66 0 0 
Ditto of £ 166. 19s. further stock 5 0 6 
Unapplied balance of £160. Is. 

106/. at four per cent. 9 8 7 


£140 9 1 


Or £ 70. 4s. 6d. each. The result of a chancery suit 
about sixty years since placed those funds in the 
hands of the accountant general of that court. The 
scholarships are tenable only by boys bom in the town 
of Wisbech, and educated for at least three years in this 
school. The appointment to them rests with the capital 
burgesses and the master jointly. The Rev. Jeremiah 
Jackson, M.A. held the office of head master for a 
period of twenty-three years, with the highest honour 
and integrity, in the instruction of others in knowledge 
and virtue; and upon his resignation at Michaelmas 1826, 
the capital burgesses elected # the Rev. J. R. Major, 


* On a former vacancy, occasioned by the death of the head master in 
1794, several candidates offered themselves for the appointment, when 

the following letter was addressed to the then town bailiff, in consequence 

* 

of a droll mistake in the advertisement: 

“ Gentlemen, 

“ Having been informed that a vacancy had taken place- 
“ for the mastership of the free grammar school of Wisbech, I proposed 
“ myself a candidate, and inclosed you testimonials of my qualifications by 
“ last post, but observing by an advertisement in the General Evening Post, 
“ (which I herewith send you) that you intend proceeding to the execution 






WISBECH. 


289 


of Trinity college, Cambridge, to succeed him, a gentle¬ 
man who stands very eminent for learning, and whose 
testimonials gave abundant proof of his moral worth, good 
deportment, and qualification for such an appointment. 
The school is open to the boys resident in the town for 
classical instruction, free of expense. There is no re¬ 
striction as to the age of admission, or the time of 
superannuation. On the late recent appointment, the 
corporate body made some alterations, which were con¬ 
sidered as more beneficial to the master. The regular 
stipend is about £ 100. per annum ; but the corporation 
proposed, that in addition they would pay the rates and 
taxes for the school house and premises, and allow the 
master for teaching a number of boys, not exceeding 
twenty, to be nominated by the corporation, in the English 
language, and in writing and arithmetic, at the rate of 
twelve shillings per quarter for each. Boys, being sons of 
inhabitants of the town, are still to be educated in the 
Greek and Latin tongues gratuitously. The master is to 
be at liberty to instruct in the English language, writing 
and arithmetic, boys not included in the corporation list, 
and to receive any others as boarders or day scholars 
upon his own terms. The master of the school is also paid 
eight guineas per annum for accommodating the chief 
v justice of the isle during the assizes with lodgings, but 


“ of the master on the 11th January next, I decline being a candidate, 
<< and beg leave to inform you, that I do not feel myself quite prepared 
“for the honour of martyrdom. 

“ I am, gentlemen, 

“ Your most obedient, humble servant, 

“ J. Burly.” 

“ To the Capital Burgesses of Wisbech.” 

The word ‘ execution ’ was of course used instead of * election.’ 


290 


HISTORY OF 


this payment is not made to the master as such, nor 
has it any connexion with the emoluments of his office. 
The dwelling house which the master has heretofore 
enjoyed with the school is at this time in so dilapi¬ 
dated a state, as scarcely to be fit for the reception 
of a family and pupils. Upon the recent vacancy, 
the corporation directed the buildings to be surveyed, 
when they were reported to be in so ruinous a con¬ 
dition, that it would be an useless expenditure of money 
to attempt to put them in decent repair; it therefore 
became a question, whether if another house and school 
were to be erected, the old site should not be 
abandoned altogether, it being suggested, that if the 
structure now standing were pulled down, and the space 
thrown open to form a new approach to the market 
place, direct from the Lynn road, it would constitute 
a most important improvement. The town bailiff, # 
therefore, called a meeting of the capital and other 
burgesses and inhabitants of the town, to consider 
upon a plan for remedying the inconveniences com¬ 
plained of, either by repairing or rebuilding the 
present erections or otherwise, when it was resolved, 
at a numerous meeting of the inhabitants held on the 
13th November 1826, that, considering the dilapi¬ 
dated condition of the school house, and the great 
charge of putting it into a perfect state of repair, 
it would be expedient not only to rebuild the house 
and school, but that it would be desirable to provide 
a more extensive and commodious site for the 
same, and to throw open the present premises, 
or a sufficient part thereof, as a public road from the 


* William Orton, esq. 


WISBECH. 


291 


market place across the old horse fair and canal, to the 
Lynn road ; and that a part of the premises at the end 
of the proposed new road, at the entrance from Lynn, 
would form a convenient situation for a new house and 
school. To effect all which improvements, it was 
estimated that the sum of £4000. would be required, 
and as the corporation funds were stated to be inadequate 
at this time to meet the charges contemplated, it became 
necessary to raise such sum by loan, and the inhabitants 
of the town were invited to lend monies to the corporation 
for such purpose, in shares of £50. each; and upon 
a subscription being forthwith opened, £3000. was 
quickly advanced, and the remaining sum to make up 
the £ 4000. was soon raised. There is no second master 
upon the foundation. Among the distinguished charac¬ 
ters who have been educated at this school, may be 
enumerated 


Thomas Herring, D.D. Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The Hon. Charles Dalrymple Lindsay, son of the earl 
of Balcarras, now bishop of Kildare, and brother 
in law to the Rt. Hon. the earl of Hardwicke. 

General Sir Charles Wale, K.C.B., Thetford. 

Colonel Alexander Malcolm, (an officer of distinction) 
now dead. 

Thomas Clarkson, esq. of Bury, (the well known 
strenuous asserter of the abolition of slavery.) 


The following names of the masters of the grammar 
school remain on record : 


A. D. 

1446 Jacob Cresner,* 
1548 Henry Ogle, 
1564 Mr. Rastall, 


A. D. 

1580 Thomas Lowthe, 

- John Power, 

1630 William Frisney, 


* Coles’ MSS. 


T 




292 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

1669 George Frisney, 

1078 Francis Fern, M. A. 

1690 Thomas Johnson, M.A. 
1697 Thomas Carter, Fellow 
of King’s College, 
Cambridge. 

1727 John Newson, Clerk, 
1731 Richard Foster, Clerk, 


1749 John Clarkson, Clerk,* 
1766 Richard Oswin, Clerk, 
1796 Martin Coulcher, Clerk,f 
1803 Jeremiah Jackson,M.A. 
of St. John’s College, 
Cambridge, 

1826 J. R. Major, M. A. 
of Trinity College, 
Cambridge. 


THE GAOL. 

Whilst the ancient castle was kept up as a fortress, 
some part thereof within the walls was allotted for the 
use of a prison ; and it is shewn that assizes were held 
in the mote hall, and the governor of the castle was 
answerable for the safety of the prisoners committed to 
the gaol there. Sir Andrew Ogard, in 1452, and Sir 
James Hobard, in 1494, were each fined £5. for the 
escape of felons. £ A further proof also of the antiquity 
of a prison’s having been maintained in this town is, 
that the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Ely, the lord of 
the franchise, in his appointment of “ the chief bailiff 
“ for the isle of Ely,” grants to the chief bailiff two 
several patents, for the custody not only of the gaol of 
the said bishop, in the city of Ely, within his barton 
there, but also of the prison and gaol of Wisbech, and 
the prisoners there imprisoned, and to be thereafter 
imprisoned, &c. which form has been used and continued 
for time immemorial. Upon dismantling the castle, 

* The father of Thomas Clarkson, esq. before mentioned, 
t On the election of this gentleman, there was an equality of votes, 
when the capital burgesses drew lots, which was done by the clerk, 
f The gaoler’s stipend then was Is. 6d. per week. 



WISBECH. 


293 


it is probable the prison fell into decay, and as a gaol was 
supported by the lord of the franchise at his sole charge 
at Ely, such one gaol might then be thought sufficient 
for the purpose of confinement of the several offenders 
within the whole isle. As the population of Wisbech 
increased, a convenience would be found in providing a 
place of safe custody for misdemeanants, to save the 
expense of conveying prisoners to Ely on every slight 
offence. The capital burgesses, therefore, as guardians 
ot the town, appear for some time to have set apart 
two tenements to be used for the purpose of a house 
of correction, for which they received eight pounds a.d. 
per annum. In the year 1602, an account is stated 1602. 
of monies paid by the corporation for relief of pri¬ 
soners. In 1616, twelve thousand bricks* were 1616. 
ordered to be bought by the corporation to repair the 
house of correction, and four years afterwards, the 
capital burgesses agreed to lend a house for the accom¬ 
modation of a house of correction. In 1680, a formal 1680. 
question arose concerning the right to the maintaining 
of the house used as a gaol, when a petition was drawn 
up by the capital burgesses and inhabitants, which was 
referred to the judge of assize, and by him directed to 
be submitted to several justices, and they doing nothing 
therein, it was again ordered to be referred to the judge. 

No determination is recorded, but two years after, the 
corporation ordered that the wall of the gaol yard should 
be rebuilt for the benefit of the prisoners, and a yard 
inclosed for airing; them, and that the rent of the 
gaol should not be less than £ 14.f The last notice 


* At fifteen shillings and eight pence per thousand, 
t By this it appears that the isle of Ely paid the rent, although the cor¬ 
poration provided the convenience. 


294 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. by the capital burgesses, relative to the house of cor- 
1757. rection, is in the year 1757, when at a full hall, an inquiry 
was ordered to be instituted into the right of the 
burgesses to the gaol, and that after examining all 
evidences, they should lay the same before the magis¬ 
trates of the hundred of Wisbech and the north part of 
Witchford, in order to prove the burgesses’ right to the 
same, and the town bailiff was ordered to call in such 
assistance as he should think proper. The issue, how¬ 
ever, is (as in various other cases) omitted to be stated, 
though it is probable the burgesses could not establish 
any such right. A building, used as a house of cor¬ 
rection, had for a considerable length of time been 
continued under the direction of the magistrates of 
the hundred of Wisbech and north part of Witchford, 
which becoming in a very ruinous state, and unfit for 
the safe custody of prisoners, the magistrates for the 
1807. isle resolved to take down the same, in the year 1807, 
and a new one was erected on the old site , taking in, by 
way of addition, a portion of ground contiguous, 
whereon four almshouses, called “ Sturmyn’s,” formerly 
stood,* on the south side of the great river, and the 
expense of rebuilding was defrayed out of the county 
rates for the isle. This building is well calculated to 
answer the purposes for which it was designed. It 
contains six wards for female prisoners, and eleven for 
males, besides two for debtors. It has a chapel, to 
which a chaplain, with a salary of £ 50. per annum, is 
appointed by the magistrates, where divine service is 
performed every Sunday. There is a good yard for 
airing the prisoners, with a rain water cistern, pump, 8tc. 
The most recent alteration in this prison is the erection 

* See title ‘ Almshouses,’ Mr. Sturmyn’s. 


WISBECH. 


295 


of a tread mill, affording at once to the prisoners both 
labour and punishment. This machine is capable of 
employing eleven men at a time, with an adjoining 
corn mill and bakehouse, and a small store house or 
granary above. The men only are employed on the 
tread wheel, and the changes of relays take place at 
the ringing of a bell, at intervals of not less than ten 
or fifteen minutes. The present diet is bread and water, 
with the occasional indulgence of a little animal food sup¬ 
plied by the friends of the prisoners. The cost of the mill 
in its building and machinery was £ 600. The force is 
employed to grind corn for the public. Samuel Craddock 
is at this time the very respectable keeper of the house 
of correction. 

THE SHIRE HALL, 

erected in the year 1807, is situated on the south brink 
of the river, to which the house of correction last 
described is annexed. The exterior does not manifest 
much taste, though a considerable sum of money was 
expended thereon; but the hall itself is allowed to be 
very convenient for the transaction of business, and by 
a passage from the prison communicating with the court, 
the unfortunate objects, who are to appear before that 
tribunal, are brought forward without being unneces¬ 
sarily exposed to the gaze of the public. The old shire 
hall, which was taken down in 1810, stood at the upper 
or eastern end of the new market place. 

THE MARKET PLACE 

is on the south side of the river, in the form of a paral¬ 
lelogram, open and spacious,—in width about ninety- 
four feet, and in length three hundred and eighty feet,— 


296 


HISTORY OF 


paved with Yorkshire slabs in rows, intermixed with large 
cobbles, so that on the market day, when the stalls are 
set up upon that part which is paved with cobbles, the 
portion, composed of slabs, (about three hundred and 
ten feet in length and thirty-seven in width) becomes 
reserved as an open space for all whose business leads 
them to the market, affording a convenient paved walk 
to view the several articles exposed on each side for 
sale. The whole was completed in the year 181 \ r at 
the expense of £1,170.; £300. of which was paid 
by the consent of the inhabitants out of the highway 
rates, and the rest by the corporation. The market day 
is Saturday.* There is another open space on the north 
side of the river, called the Old Market, which, if ever 
used as a general market place, was deserted at a very 
early period. In the latter place, used formerly to be a 
pond, which is known to have continued until about 1669, 
when it was ordered to be cleaned out, and in the course 
of the following ten years, the same was directed to be 
filled, and a pump was set down, which appears by 
the corporation records to have taken place on the 2d 
March 1679. Towns, we know, were always the de¬ 
pendants of castles; and in early troublesome times, 
people were glad to seek protection under the walls of 
a fortress, and it is not improbable, that for the sake of 


* The market day of the ancient Britons was Wednesday, from its 
dedication to Mercury ; but the Anglo-Saxons kept their markets on a 
Sunday, (as is even now the custom in the Roman catholic countries) to 
give the people an opportunity of assembling to perform their religious 
duties, and to purchase the necessaries of life. The prejudicial effects of 
this mixture of religious with secular affairs soon produced a law, forfeiting 
all goods exposed to sale on that day, and appointing Saturday for that 
purpose. Fairs and markets used formerly to be kept in church yards, 
which practice was forbidden by statute 13th Edward I. c. vi. a. d. 1294. 


I 


WISBECH. 


297 


contiguity to the castle, the space on the south side 
would be selected as more convenient, as well as secure 
for the inhabitants, in the negotiation of their public 
affairs; for although this space bears the name of the 
New Market, it has been so designated for very many a.d. 
centuries ; for in 1436, we read that on an inquisition, 1436. 
it was presented, “ that all who held land in the old 
“ market of Wisbech should contribute to the repairs 
“ of the bridgea tacit proof that a new market 
place then existed. In fact, the whole space from~the 
bridge to the present market place was called the new 
market, and old title deeds describe all the property 1471. 
from the bridge to the church to be abutting on the 
new market, without any distinction of the High Street, 
or any other place. A deed of conveyance, of the date 
of 17th August 1461, is now extant, of a certain mes¬ 
suage called the Swan, # and lying in the new market 
place of Wisbech, and abutting upon the bank of Wisbech 
nn the west, and the common street east. 

Ragstone was formerly much used for paving, and 
particularly in London, it being dug in the vicinity of 
Maidstone, in Kent. In 1549, we find a sum of money 1549. 
was expended for the paving of this market place with 
ragstone, which appears afterwards to have been taken 
up, for in 1570, the market place was raised by soil 1570. 
brought from the river bank between Crabbe Marsh 
gate and Elm Learn, by the consent of bishop Goode- 
ricke.f A certain building used for butchers’ shambles 
was erected in 1592, by the capital burgesses, at the 1592, 
upper or eastern end of the new market place, adjoining 
whereto was built the old shire hall, both of which 
were removed in the year 1810, by virtue of the act 

* This is supposed to be the Rose and Crown inn. t See page 36. 


298 


HISTORY OF 


then obtained for improving the town; thereby affording 
a.d. increased accommodation for the public market. In 
1665. 1665, an order appears on the corporation books for 
again paving this market place. Originally there was 
a market cross,* of which the reparation is mentioned 
in 1549.ff Such erections were common, and generally 
raised on high steps, the lowermost serving as a bench 
to those who served the market with the produce of 
the neighbouring country. This cross was afterwards 
changed to an obelisk, which continued standing at 
the western end of the market place, until taken 
down at the time when the shambles were removed, 
and the space for the market laid out in the present 
form. A market is mentioned as early as the year 
1332. The capital burgesses hold the fairs and markets 
by lease from the lord bishop of Ely, and pay an annual 
fee farm rent of £ 5. 65 . 3d. for the same. King 
Edward I. in the first year of his reign, (1327) granted 
a charter for a fair at Wisbech, to be holden for twenty 
successive days.J The tolls of the market are now let 
for <£136. per annum. In the year 1810, a fish-market 
was erected near to the custom house, and contiguous 
to the river. 


THE CORN EXCHANGE. 

1616. A seed or corn market was built in the year 1616, 
near to the river, on the south-east side of the bridge, 
about the spot on the quay where the crane for landing 
goods from vessels in the river now stands, which being 
removed in the year 1785, the present neat and orna- 

* Fosbroke observes that market crosses were originally designed to 
check a worldly spirit, and intended to inculcate upright intention and 
fairness of dealing. Vol. i. p. 109. 
t See page 189. 


$ See page 138. 


WISBECH. 


299 


mental building was, in the year 1811, erected on the 
north side of the river, opposite to the bridge, for the 
purpose of a com exchange, having an area of sixty 
feet, surrounded with appropriate boxes for the use of 
the merchants in the negociation of their business. It 
was built at the charge of the capital burgesses, upon 
part of the site of premises formerly called the Nag’s 
Head inn, which were purchased by the corporation for 
the public benefit. Over the ground plot of the building 
are two commodious rooms now hired of the corporation ; 
the one used as a 


NEWS ROOM, 

where four daily public papers are taken in, and three 
provincial weekly papers, the expense whereof is de¬ 
frayed by subscription amongst the members; the 
other used as a 

BILLIARD ROOM, 

the subscription whereto is amongst private individuals, 
and no betting permitted. 

THE CATTLE MARKET 

is well adapted by its situation for that purpose. The 
residue of the ground or yard so purchased by the 
corporation, heretofore belonging to the Nag’s Head 
inn, at the back of the corn exchange, abutting upon 
Pickard’s Lane, was appropriated by them, and fitted 
up for such market. Those who recollect the great 
inconvenience existing to all persons using the market, 
when it was held in the public streets of the town, will 


300 


HISTORY OF 


freely acknowledge the present accommodation. This 
improvement has not taken place more than sixteen 
years, and it is already found that much larger space 
is required for the increasing stock brought to the town. 
The tolls at present bring in a revenue to the corpo¬ 
ration of £ 260. per annum, including the standings for 
the corn exchange. The corn exchange, with its ap¬ 
pendages, and the markets, were all built and formed 
in the year 1811. 

THE CUSTOM HOUSE 

was erected in the year 1801 by the capital burgesses, 
on the site of the building where anciently stood the 
firkin cross for the sale of butter, of w hich article great 
quantities were formerly sent from this town.* This 
building presents nothing, either externally or internally, 
deserving of peculiar notice : it is under the same roof 
as the new town hall; such part thereof as is not used 
by the capital burgessess for their public purposes being 
leased by them to his majesty’s commissioners of the 
customs, who now hold an existing lease for a term of 
A.d. twenty-one years from the 25th March 1823, at £35. 
1722. per annum.f In the year 1722, the building then used 
as a custom houee was broken open and robbed ; the 
depredators, however, did not escape undiscovered, but 
were prosecuted to conviction. The custom house has 

I 

* 8,000 firkins of butter have been exported in one year to London* 
t The commissioners of customs, in former times, used to hire some 
convenient dwelling in the town, for the purposes of the collector and other 
officers, until the year 1740, when Mr. Cobb, the collector, being town- 
bailiff, the capital burgesses then first agreed to provide an accommodation 
for the collector, to be used as a custom house, at ^ 12. per annum, being 
the same rent which had been theretofore accustomed to be paid. 


WISBECH. 


301 


since that period been again broken open, though without 
affording any pillage to the plunderers, it being a rule 
with the officers to leave no property whatever in money, 
on their retirement from the office. The receipt of 
monies collected for his majesty's use are, upon an average, 
about £15,000. per annum. Whilst we mention the 
custom house, we must not forget to notice the improving 
state of 


THE PORT. 

It has been shewn, that of ancient time “ ships of a.d. 

“ great burden resorted to the town of Wisbech,” but 1200. 
upon the course of the river Ouse being changed, and the 
great body of water diverted through the artificial cut 
at Littleport chayre, before mentioned,*' whilst Lynn, 
by the enlargement of its river, not only became a more 
considerable port, but increased its trade and shipping, 
the port of Wisbech proportionably declined, and the 
trade and shipping thereof diminished. During the 
time of the guild, no notice whatever is taken of the 
port, although in many instances guilds were established 
for commercial purposes. The one at Wisbech seems 
to have been dedicated to religious purposes only.f The 
proceedings of the guild in their earlier records are 
entirely silent relative to the port, unless the following 
agreement made in 1583 may be considered as having 1583. 
any reference thereto, viz. “It was agreed by the ten 
“ men, in the name of the inhabitants, that whereas a 
“ controversy was likely to arise between the patentees 
“ granted by her majesty for bringing in of salt , and the 
“ inhabitants of Wysbeche, that if any trial should take 
“ place, it should be borne at the common charge of the 
“ town, and that the cause as tending to the libertie of 


* Page 24. 


t Page 140. 


302 


HISTORY OF 


u Wysbeche should be paid out of the town stock. ” In 
the time of Charles I. Wisbech must certainly have arrived 
at some degree of eminence as a port, if w r e may judge 
from the large sum paid as “ ship money. ” This levy, 
it is well known, was the beginning of the troubles in 
those unhappy times. The mode was, “That a writ 
“ was framed and directed to the sheriff of every county 
“ of England, to provide a ship of war for the king’s 
“ service, and to send it amply provided and fitted by 
“ such a day to such a place and with that writ w ere 
sent to each sheriff instructions that, “ instead of a ship, 
“ he should levy upon his county such a sum of money, 
“ and return the same to the treasurer of the navy, 
“ for his majesty’s use,” with directions in what manner 
he should proceed against such as refused; and from 
hence that tax had the denomination of “ ship money,” 
by which it is said that for some years there accrued 
annually the sum of £200,000. to the king’s coffers.* 

a.d. On 19th November 1634, at a court held at the city 

1634. of Norwich, it was agreed that the sheriffs of Norfolk 
and Cambridgeshire, with the mayors of Lynn, Yar¬ 
mouth, &c. should be entertained, at the public cost, 
about the business of “ ship money,” the assessment 
whereof caused many debates between the city of 
Norwich and counties of Norfolk and Cambridge, and 
the burghs of Castle Rising, Lynn, Thetford, Yarmouth, 
and Wisbitchy concerning the separate proportions that 
each should bear towards the charge of each ship, which 
was estimated at £ 5,500. of which 


* Lord John Russell on English Government, p. 69. 

There is an original writ for the levying of ship money remaining 
amongst the corporation records, but from age and negligence, the writing 
is so very much defaced and obliterated, as to render it nearly unintel¬ 
ligible. 


WISBECH. 


303 


£. 

Thetford, Castle Rising, and about fifty- 

three coast towns in the county, raised 1427 


Norwich. v .. 1601 

Lynn . 1192 

Yarmouth . 940 

Wisbitch. 340 


£ 5,500 


This latter sum was in all probability felt severely by the 
inhabitants of Wisbech, for the burgesses dispatched 
one of their body to London this year, to endeavour to 
free them from the tax; and at another period, two of 
their body went to London to procure a mitigation only 
of the tax, but the success attending such attempt does a.d. 
not appear. In an ancient record of the year 1647, it is 1647. 
stated that Wisbech was at this time a town of good 
trade, where there was a navigable river, being within 
two miles of the sea, # and from thence came coals, 
salt fish, and various other kinds of merchantable 
wares. Some time after, the port of Lynn assumed a 
right to exercise jurisdiction over the port of Wisbech, 
as a member of Lynn, and accordingly orders were 
given through the officers of the customs at Lynn, for 
all vessels arriving at Wisbech to load only at certain 
places; and on the inhabitants of Wisbech refusing to 
comply with such order, a suit was commenced in his 
majesty’s exchequer by the corporation of Lynn, against 
the burgesses of Wisbech ; a commission was thereupon 

* At this time Crabbe Marsh was open to the sea, the surface of which 
wa# common waste, but was embanked and inclosed soon after this period. 








304 


HISTORY OF 


issued, and, on hearing the reasons alleged, the inhabi¬ 
tants of Wisbech obtained their suit, and established 
their independence in every respect. Four commis¬ 
sioners afterwards, by virtue of a commission from the 
a.d. barons of the exchequer, certified that on the 16th 
1676. October 1676, they had repaired unto the port of 
Wisbech, and surveyed the open places there and there¬ 
about ; and by virtue of the said commission, did 
thereupon appoint all that open place, key, or wharf, 
beginning: from the north north-east side of the com- 
mon stairs, and called the Bull stairs, and so directly 
south south-west to the house of John Grow r ne, # in 
length three hundred and eighty feet or thereabouts, and 
in breadth sixteen feet, bounded with the town of 
Wisbech towards the south south-east, and the haven 
along the said key or wharf towards the west north-west, 
to be the place, key, or wharf for the landing or dis¬ 
charging, loading or shipping of any goods, wares, or 
merchandize within the said port of Wisbech ; and to 
prevent any further disputes, touching the limits of the 
said port, did declare the same to extend from the sluice, 
called the old sluice,f &c. Some further occurrences 
took place afterwards, and the absolute independence 
1680. of the port of Wisbech was declared in the year 1680. 
The capital burgesses of Wisbech then began to dedicate 
more attention towards advancing the benefit of the 
port, and made an application to the Trinity House of 
Deptford Strond for certain powers of beaconage, &c. 
who granted them an authority to set up from time to 

* John Growne’s house was the corner one at the bottom of Ship Lane, 
on the south western side, opposite to the Bell inn. 

t The original documents relating to the independence of the port of 
Wisbech are in the custody of the capital burgesses, filed amongst their 
other ancient records. 


WISBECH. 


305 


time such buoys and beacons in the channel, as to them 
should seem meet, for the better safety and preservation 
of all ships coming into and going out of the said 
channel, and to receive of the masters of all vessels certain 
duties towards defraying the charges of such buoys, 
confirming by their authority (dated 11th May 1710) 
what the said burgesses or their successors should do. 
Whereupon an officer was first appointed to look after 
such buoys and beacons, called a “ Curator,” and the 
collector of his majesty’s customs was directed to receive 
the beaconage fees, and account to the town bailiff. 
Notwithstanding these laudable endeavours, the river 
seems to have been in a deplorable state of obstruction a.d. 
for the purpose of navigation, for in 1727, a letter is 1727. 
addressed by the then collector of the customs, referring 
to the said commission of 16th October 1676, stating 
that the lawful quay for shipping and landing goods 
was appointed to be within the town of Wisbech, but 
that at this period the haven was such, that no vessel of 
above thirty tons could ordinarily come up to the 
town,* which necessitated the shipping and unlading of 
goods at eight and sometimes twelve miles distant from 
Wisbech, and the carriage of such goods between the 
ships and the town in such cases was by barges and 
lighters.^ 

Prodigious heaps of sand lie in the bay between 
Norfolk and Lincolnshire, and the Wisbech river having 
no certain channel to sea after it leaves its banks, spreads 
amongst the sands, which cause great impediments to 


* Documents from the custom house ascertaining this fact were politely 
furnished by the collector and comptroller, 
t Lighters are a small kind of craft. 


306 


HISTORY OF 


the navigation. Kinder! ey, # in his introduction, observes, 
“ That such is the natural situation in these parts, that 
“ the tides upon our coast of England all coming from 
“ the north, flow southward, and so the tide not 
“ passing through , but as it were by this level, as in 
“ an eddy, always leaves something behind it, which 
“ heightens the soil, and is the reason whereby these 
“ parts, formerly nearest the sea, are now at this day 
“ higher than the parts more remote.The sea is 
always deep in proportion to the height of the coast: 
if the coast be low, then the sea is shallow; if the 
coast is very high, then the sea is deep. The bay is 
full of shoals and shifting sands, and greatly exposed 
to many boisterous winds from the north to the south¬ 
east, which, joining to the action of the tides, must 
occasion great obstructions in the outlets and streams 
emptying themselves into the bay. The corporation and 
inhabitants were not then insensible to the bad state of 
the navigation, but they felt that the evils were too 
great to be surmounted by the limited means placed at 
their disposal. In 1735, the limits of the port were set 
forth by a commission issued to certain persons duly 
authorized, who reported to the barons of the exchequer, 
that they had repaired unto Wisbech, and defined the 
limits of the said port J to extend and be accounted 
from the point of Sutton salt marsh, called Sutton 
Comer, that is to say, a point of that marsh belonging 


* Kinderley, p. 77. t Ibid, page 80. 

i This certificate is signed by Henry Hare, Collector of Lynn. 

John Child, Deputy Customer of Lynn. 
Edmund Cobb, Collector of Wisbech. 
William Johnson, Collector of Boston . 
John Keene, Collector of Wells. 


WISBECH. 


307 


to Lutton, where the Lutton Learn falls into the Wisbech 
channel, and divides the two parishes, Sutton and Lutton; 
and from thence to the Wisbech channel, by a line drawn 
from Sutton Corner to Terrington church, the said 
church bearing south south-east from Sutton Corner; and 
from the said line or limits, up the Wisbech channel and a.d. 
river, to Wisbech bridge. In 1751, the state of the river 1751. 
is again represented to be so disastrous, that whereas 
forty years ago, small vessels, though not without some 
difficulty, might sail up to the town, now even those 
were forced to lie at the Wash way. # The time, however, 
was now arriving for great improvements in the navigation, 
brought about at length by the spirit of enterprize in the 
drainage of the adjacent fens ; and the plan for straight¬ 
ening the course of the river to a limited extent was 
strongly advocated, which, though at first opposed, was 
at length carried into effect, through certain clauses in 
the Tid and Newton Act of 1773,f by abandoning the 1773. 
old river, and making a new straight cut through the 
marshes, as before described in the history of the 
north level, which has ever since been called Kinderley’s 
Cut. The town of Wisbech soon experienced the 
advantage of the alteration in the course of their 
river, by the progressively improved state of their 
navigation, and the advancement of the commerce of the 
port, which has been materially increasing ever since 
that period. The first land flood, which came in October, 
ground down the bottom of the new channel many feet 
deeper than it was cut, lowered the surface of the 

* It is a common thing for people in a very dry time to walk over the 
bottom of the river under the bridge, the river is so shallow. Kinderley, 
p. 70. About the year 1749, Wisbech is said to have exported to London 
52,000 quarters of oats, 1,000 tons of rape seed oil, and 8,000 firkins of 
butter. 

t See page 66. 

U 


308 


HISTORY OF 


water at Gunthorpe sluice five feet, and not only gave 
immediate relief to the north level, but vessels of much 
larger burthen than before were enabled to get up to 
a.d. Wisbech.* In the month of August, in the year 
1793. 1793, the unusual number of forty-three ships were 
lying at Sutton Washway. The general description of 
vessels trading to this port, and coming up to the town, 
are small country vessels, of from sixty to eighty tons 
burthen, and drawing about six feet water; and in 
ordinary spring tides, for the last three years, the water 
has averaged a depth of nine feet, which is amply 
sufficient for the navigation of vessels of one hundred 
tons burthen. About twenty of this description annually 
come up to the town, and the navigation is always found 
to be best when the channel lies on the western or 
Lincolnshire side. This kind of vessels is principally 
employed in the export of corn to Yorkshire. Vessels 
of one hundred and forty tons burthen in the coal trade 
arrive at a place called the Eye, and Sutton Wash, about 
ten miles distant from Wisbech, and from thence the 
coals are usually re-shipped into lighters, and then sent 
into the interior. The burgesses of Wisbech, in their 
corporate capacity, are the guardians of the port and 
harbour, and are entitled to receive, by ancient pre¬ 
scriptive right, from all vessels clearing in and out of 
the port, certain tonnage duties, which are appropriated 
towards the preservation and improvement of the 
said port. They appoint a harbour master, with a 
salary, whose duty is to regulate the mooring of 
vessels; and an individual having, at his own expense, 
set up a beacon, called the West-Mark-Knock, the corpo¬ 
ration entered into a treaty with him for the purchase 


* See page 67. 


WISBECH. 


309 


thereof, in order that no strangers might presume to 
interfere with them in the management or dues of the 
port. They gave to this gentleman £ 200. for his right, 
and afterwards directed an additional number of buoys 
and beacons to be provided, all of which are now main¬ 
tained at the charge of the corporation, and certain regular 
pilots appointed, with salaries, and a superintendant over 
them, to see that they discharge their duties justly and 
faithfully to all masters of vessels resorting to the port. 

About the year 1809, the inhabitants of Wisbech a.d. 
came to a determination to have recourse to parliament, 1809. 
to enable them to effect certain improvements in the 
town ; and the corporation, fully alive to the state of their 
navigation, and the importance of further melioration* 
resolved to apply for power to lay additional duties on 
the tonnage; but aware also that in consequence of the 
proximity of the neighbouring ports, a heavy tonnage 
duty might be the means of driving the trade away from 
Wisbech, they felt unwilling to impose any large tax, so 
as to become burthensome to the trade. In the next year, 1810, 
the act for the general improvement of the town, as 
well as for preserving and improving the port and 
harbour of Wisbech, and for increasing the duties of the 
port, passed, when its limits were defined to be “ from 
“ a certain house called Bevis’ hall, at or near the 
“ boundary which divides the parishes of Wisbech 
“ St. Peter’s and Wisbech St. Mary’s, on the north 
“'brink of the river, down and along the channel of 
“ the river, and the coasts and shores on each side 
“ thereof, towards and unto the limits of the port of 
“ Boston, and the limits of the port of Lynn respectively;” 
and that the harbour of Wisbech should extend from 
such places within the limits of the port, as the capital 


310 


HISTORY OF 


burgesses or their successors should appoint, with a 
power to receive by way of duty, for the use of the 
burgesses of the town of Wisbech in their corporate 
capacity, three pence for every chaldron of coals 
delivered from any ship arriving at, or coming to, 
or leaving the port of Wisbech, and the like sum per 
ton for all other goods and merchandizes, and double 
the duty for all foreigners ; which duties are vested in 
the burgesses in their corporate capacity, and are to be 
disposed of in discharging the expenses of collecting 
and receiving the duties, and in and towards the making 
of any necessary works within the port and harbour , and 
in and towards the improvement of the said port and har¬ 
bour , in such manner as the capital burgesses and their 
successors should from time to time think expedient. 
In pursuance of which act, the burgesses have already 
made and maintained divers beneficial works in respect 
to the river and harbour. The duties granted by the 
said act bring in a revenue at this time of between 
£800. and £900. per annum, all of which has not 
been expended, by reason that the corporation are 
husbanding their resources, to enable them to execute, 
expensive works contemplated for confining and straight¬ 
ening the channel of the river. A considerable sum 
has in fact accumulated in the hands of the capital 
burgesses, which is vested, and ready to be laid out in 
and towards the improvement of the port. The merchants 
lately made complaint of the negligence of the pilots, 
and on the corporation applying to the Trinity House at 
Hull, that body offered to appoint five of the capital 
burgesses of Wisbech sub-commissioners, and to give 
them full power to examine the qualifications of the 
persons officiating as pilots, and to grant licences to 
such only as should appear to them to be duly 


WISBECH. 


311 


qualified to act as such, and to regulate the rates of 
pilotage, and to form rules and bye laws for their due 
government. 

A person of weight and respectability has been ap¬ 
pointed as their headsman, who is to have the authority 
and management over the pilots. On examination, the 
pilot sloop belonging to the corporation; being found 
insufficient, was ordered to be enlarged with all practi¬ 
cable dispatch, at the expense of the corporation, and a 
building was recommended to be erected at Sutton 
Washway, to answer the purpose of a pilot office and 
look-out into the deeps, the execution of which was only 
postponed on account of works of great importance at 
that time pending at the Washway. 

By referring to the entries at the custom house, it is 
shewn that the number of vessels cleared during the 
year ending January 1826 amounted to 1164 coastwise, 
and 45 foreign; that the tonnage amounted to 70,320 
tons, and that the custom house duty paid at the port 
in the same year was £29,531. 15s. 9 d. The tonnage 
duties paid to the burgesses of Wisbech in their corpo¬ 
rate capacity have gradually augmented in the same 
proportions, as may appear from the subjoined ac¬ 
count. 

The following is the gross receipt and expenditure on 
account of the duties for the port of Wisbech for the 
last twenty years, ending 10th October k 1825, and 

the amount of receipts for his majesty’s customs for 

) 

the same period : 


1825 


312 


HISTORY OF 


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WISBECH. 


313 


The corn sent coastwise in the year 1826 was about 
121,000 quarters, with about 2240 quarters of rape seed. 
The coals brought coastwise were about 37,680 chaldrons, 
with about 7470 tons of other articles of merchandize. 
The imports, consisting principally of timber from the 
north of Europe, in the year 1825, amounted to 7093 
tons, and in 1826, to 1824 tons: there are two bonding 
yards for the reception of this article.* 


The following names of the several collectors of customs 
are extracted from the custom house books : 


1670 Thomas Buckworth 
1689 John Arden 
z1716 John Ryland 
1720 Samuel Jacomb 
1725 John Childe 
1727 John Wooseley 


1729 Edmund Cobb 
1753 John Flanner 
1767 John Fearnside 
1773 George Hewes 
1793 Thomas Wraight 
1823 Richard Cater. 


THE CANAL. 

About the year 1792, there was a rage throughout the 
kingdom for forming canals, and on the 30th October 
in that year,f a very numerous meeting of merchants 
and others interested took place at Wisbech, in order to 
consider of proposals for making a navigable cut from 
Wisbech river to join the old river Nene at Outwell, and 
for improving the navigation from Outwell church to 
Salter’s Lode sluice. The meeting was fully attended, 
not only by the inhabitants of Wisbech, but by numbers 

* Since the repeal of the prohibition laws respecting wool, there lias 
been no separate account kept of that commodity. 

t The Hon. and Rev. C. Lindsay was in the chair, and Mr. Watt6, the 
engineer, delivered in his report and estimate. 




314 


HISTORY OF 


from the midland counties, who shewed great anxiety 
to obtain shares. The intention was, to open a communi¬ 
cation by water between Wisbech and Outwell, and thus 
to form an inland navigation from the great river at 
Wisbech, to the Ouse, commencing at the old sluice 
in Wisbech, and taking a straight course, in the same 
direction for part of the distance as the old navigable 
river from Wisbech to the Nene, called Elm Learn, # 
which had been for many years grown up and 
become totally useless, not only lor navigation, but 
for drainage. It was considered that such a plan 
would be of great public utility, and open a safe 
and easy communication between the port of Wisbech 
and the several counties of Cambridge, Hunting¬ 
don, Bedford, Norfolk, and Suffolk, and other 
parts, which would be the means of extending trade 
and commerce. The subscribers were accordingly 
formed into a company, who w ere empowered, by an act 
of parliament passed in the year 1794, to make the 
navigation, and all necessary works. The price of each 
share was originally fixed at £ 100. and was afterwards 
extended to £ 120.f However convenient the communi¬ 
cation and intercourse have been found, very little benefit 
has yet resulted to the shareholders and proprietors. 

• See page 39. 

t 12th March 1794, a temporary road was opened, to continue until the 
sluice bridge was made nearer the Bell inn, and piles began to be driven ; 
but so great was the obstruction occasioned by the waters, that they did 
not begin to lay down the timber to form the floor of the sluice until the first 
of November following. On Tuesday, November 11th, they began to open 
the old leam ; on the 14th, the frame w as fixed for one of the doors, 
and the next day the brickwork was begun. 


WISBECH. 


315 


THE WORKHOUSE. 

This receptacle for the helpless poor is situated at the 
entrance of the town by the Lynn road. It was built in 
the year 1722, at the expense of £2000. borrowed by the 
capital burgesses on their seal. This house, as a parochial 
concern, excites respect. The general arrangement reflects 
credit on the overseers, and may be viewed on application 
to the master of the house, on any proper occasion, and 
it is at all times in neat and comfortable order. A work- 
house, it is said, should never be without a manufactory, 
and it must be acknowledged that it would be beneficial 
if one were attached to this building and properly 
managed. The cost of the poor is about three shillings 
per head per week, upon a scale, according to the price 
of wheat, which, when above fifty shillings, and under 
sixty shillings per quarter, is three shillings per head per 
week, and above forty shillings, and under fifty shillings 
per quarter, two shillings and nine pence. The usual 
assessment to the poor rates is about six shillings in the 
pound; the actual rent of the parish is about £20,000. 
from which there are several deductions, so that the sum 
raised for the poor rate may be calculated at £ 5,000. 
per annum ; the county rate falls very heavy, being not 
less than £360. per annum.* 

In the summer months, about forty are relieved out of 
the house, and sixty within; and in winter, about sixty 
out of the house, and eighty within. The relief afforded 
to the out-door paupers is very considerable. The law 
expenses do not exceed on an average £ 90. per annum. 

* By the return for the year ending Easter 1804, published by parliament, 
the money then raised was ^ 3,304.16s. 7d» at six shillings in the pound. 
At that time the number of paupers was estimated on an average of years, 
to be one hundred and thirty nine, after the rate of £ 9. each per annum, 
or about three shillings and sixpence per week. 


316 


HISTORY OF 


PUBLIC CHARITIES. 

Benevolence, like the river that watered the garden 
of Eden, scatters blessings as it flows: so powerfully 
diffused are its salutary streams, that they are frequently 
known to convert a wilderness of sorrow into a paradise 
of bliss. 

Many benevolent individuals have left considerable 
benefactions to this town. 

The Rev. Jeremiah Jackson, M.A. late of St. John's 
College, Cambridge, and vicar of Swaffham Bulbeck, 
and of Elm cum Emneth, in the county of Cambridge, 
published an account thereof about five years since,* 
and every person to whose management any charitable 
concerns are entrusted, either public or private, would 
do well to peruse it. It would be a detraction from the 
merits of that work to make any partial extracts, but we 
cannot refrain from stating one short observation: /‘That of 
“ whatever nature the property may be, whence the funds 
“ of any charity arise, it is unquestionably the duty of 
“ those entrusted with it to make the most they fairly 
“ can of it, and conscientiously to apply the whole 
“ proceeds according to the declared purpose of the 
“ founder. Every person, that undertakes the manage- 
“ ment of any estate of this description, must be 
“ understood to pledge himself to both; and to be 
u deficient in either of them, is a fraud upon the charity 
“ in all cases, though of greater malignity in some than 

* The work is entitled ‘ Some Account of the Principal Public 
Charities of Wisbech St. Peter’s, &c. by Jeremiah Jackson, M. A. 
1822 .’ 


WISBECH. 


317 


“ m others.” With this remark, a brief account of the 
several charities belonging to the town of Wisbech will 
now be given ; and first of 

THE ALMSHOUSES. 

The guild of the holy trinity held certain buildings 
used as almshouses, although the situation is not pre- a.d. 
cisely known. As early as 1476, an order is made for 1476. 
“ the buildings of the guild to be repaired, where 
“ defective, and principally, a certain new building 
“ called the almshouses.” And in 1512, two persons 1512. 
were appointed to have the supervisal of the almshouses, 

&c. and to place and displace persons most infirm. 

There are certain houses, containing six several apart¬ 
ments, set apart for as many poor, aged, and disabled 
persons, situated on the north side of the church, and 
which are often known by the name t King John’s 
‘ Almshousesbut the description of the gift made 
by Thomas Blower in the year 1477 points out the 
site of these very buildings as abutting on the church 
yard west, and common way east, which, with reasonable 
accuracy, agrees with the present abuttal. 

Mrs. Sturmyn gave to the capital burgesses £100. 1610. 
for erecting a market house, and also £ 100. for erecting 
four almshouses for aged persons to live in. This latter 
sum was applied in erecting four houses on the site 
where the new house of correction and shire hall now 
stand, which four houses, being very decayed, were in 
the year 1810 pulled down, and six other almshouses 
erected by the capital burgesses on a piece of ground south¬ 
east of the church, near the gate opposite to the national 
school for boys, on which is the following inscription: 


318 


HISTORY OF 


u These six almshouses were erected by the burgesses of 
“ the town of Wisbech, a.d. 1813.” The original alms¬ 
houses of Mrs. Sturmyn were burnt down with other 
buildings in 1651, but rebuilt in the following year. 

a.d. Dr. Hawkins, who was a native|of Wisbech, and died 

1631. in London in 1631, gave £300. towards building certain 
almshouses, which also are situated on the south-east of 
the church, near those last mentioned. A stone, on which 
is inscribed “ Anno Dom. 1625. Henry Hawkins, Dr. of 
“ Laws, born in Wisbech, deceased at London, built 
“ these almshouses for habitation of six poor families,” 
marks the donation of the founder. 

1811. Mrs. Mayer’s asylum is a noble and beneficent 
institution. The late Mrs. Judith Mayer, of Wisbech, 
by her will dated 20th May 1811, and who died in the 
month of September following, gave to Robert Walpole, 
esq. and Hugh Jackson, gent. £500. to be laid out in 
the erection of an asylum, to be called after her name, 
for the reception of such poor persons in Wisbech as 
might happen to be afflicted with palsy, rheumatism, 
gout, blindness, or any other complaint, to render them 
objects of compassion; and to the capital burgesses, 
the vicar, and churchwardens, the sum of £ 1200. in 
trust, to apply the dividends (except £5.) towards 
keeping such building in repair, and for the benefit of 
such poor persons, whose bodily afflictions and meritorious 
conduct rendered them fit objects; and the said £5. 
per annum is to be given, one moiety to the vicar, and 
one moiety to the churchwardens, for their trouble. 
She also gave £400. further, making altogether £2100. 
the interest of one half of the said £400. to be dis¬ 
tributed amongst such of the poor of Wisbech as the 


WISBECH. 


319 


capital burgesses, vicar, and churchwardens should deem 
proper objects, and to expend the interest of the other 
half in the purchase of coals for the persons dwelling 
in the several almshouses. 

It is well known that the statute of Mortmain # directs 
that no lands or tenements, or money to be laid out 
thereon, shall be given for or charged with any charitable 
uses whatever, unless by deed indented, executed irt 
the presence of two witnesses, twelve months before the 
death oj the donor , and enrolled in chancery within six 
months after its execution ; it so happened that Mrs. 
Mayer died four months after the making of her will, 
whereby the bequest of the said two sums of £ 500. and 
£ 1200. became void in law, and thus failing of effect, 
the whole thereof lapsed to the said Hugh Jackson, who 
was appointed residuary legatee and executor of Mrs. 
Mayer’s will. Mr. Jackson has resided many years in 
Wisbech, with high reputation amongst his neighbours, 
not only for his integrity and uncorrupt mind, but for 
his general benevolence. The effects of the latter are 
shewn in deed and in truth by his substantially deter¬ 
mining to fulfil, and fulfilling, what he conceived to be 
the actual and real intention of the testatrix ; and in 
order to carry into execution the trusts of the said will, 
in respect to the building and endowment of the said 
asylum, he erected five tenements or dwelling houses, 
denominating the same “ Mrs. Mayer’s Asylumhaving 
expended in the building and completing thereof a sum of 
money considerably above the £ 500. bequeathed for that 
purpose; and he further laid out and invested £1200. 
iu the names of himself and two other trustees, in govern- 

* 9th George 11. c. S6. 


320 


HISTORY OF 


ment securities, to be applicable towards the support 
of the said asylum, and for the use and benefit of the 
poor persons residing therein ; and the further sum 
of £ 400. was invested in the names of the like trustees 
in the £ 4. per cent, consols, in trust, to apply such a 
proportion thereof as would annually purchase one 
chaldron of good sea coals, for the benefit of each of the 
inhabitants for the time being, resident in each of the 
said five several tenements, and the remaining proportion 
of dividend in the purchase of like coals, to be annually 
distributed amongst the other poor, dwelling in the 
several other almshouses within the town. 

THE CASTLE ALMSHOUSES 

a.d. were built by Mr. Joseph Medworth in the year 1813, 
1813. for five poor women. He, during his life, makes the 
appointment, and takes the direction thereof under his 
own management. 

There were likewise certain almshouses situate on the 
south side of the church yard, near the vicar’s garden, 
pulled down at the time when Dr. Burrough was vicar 
1757. of the parish, about the year 1757 ; and there were 
also others at the entrance into Deadman’s Lane, next 
the gate adjoining the door of the castle gardens, near 
the pond. 


OTHER CHARITIES. 

1626. Mr. W illiam Scotred gave by deed twelve acres 
of pasture in Wisbech St. Mary’s, in Sayer’s field, to 
trustees, the full rents whereof he directed to be paid 
yearly to the churchvrardens of Wisbech St. Peter’s, for 


WISBECH. 


321 


the use of the poor for ever: the said churchwardens 
to distribute the same, and relieve the most needful 
poor of Wisbech St. Peter’s, as the proper gift of the 
said William Scotred. 

Thom as Parke, esq. by will, gave his house at the a.d. 
end of Ship Lane, in Wisbech, with all the buildings 1628. 
thereto belonging, to the corporation of the town of 
Wisbech, to provide shoes and hose for the use of the 
poor of the said parish for ever. This charity has for many 
years been in the hands of feoffees, who received the rents, 
and distributed them for the use of the poor; but the 
corporation have lately resumed the trust.* He also gave 
twenty-eight acres of land in Elm, to increase the stipend 
of the schoolmaster, which is received by him, and the 
land let and managed at his discretion. He also gave 
one hundred marks to amend the highway between Lynn 
and Wisbech. 

Robert Lovicke gave six acres of pasture in Ter- 1635. 
rington St. John’s, in Church field, on trust, to pay 
£3. 10s. for preaching seven sermons between Easter 
and Whit Sunday. 

Etheldred Parke, the widow of Thomas Parke, 1639. 
esq. gave five acres of land in Wisbech, out of the 
rents whereof 13s. 4 d. was to be paid for a sermon on 
the 2d November, or in neglect thereof, to be distri¬ 
buted to the poor, and the residue was to provide, 


* Ou a stone affixed in front of the building are these words: “ Thomas 
“ Parke, esq. gave this house for the clothing of the poor people of 
“ Wisbech. Rebuilt 1704.” 


322 


HISTORY OF 


yearly, cloth for three poor women for gowns. She 
also gave fifteen acres of land in Emneth, out of the 
rent whereof seven pounds yearly was to be paid for 
sermons on saint days. 

Mr. John Crane was an apothecary of Cambridge,*' 
and in MackerilPs Account of Lynn, is stated to have 
been a very charitable person to the royalists in the 
time of the usurpation, whom he privately relieved ; and 
gave at his death to charitable uses £3,000. Several 
towns shared in his benefactions. 26th June 1651, by 
will, he gave a certain inn called the Black Bull, in 
Wisbech, f with outbuildings thereto belonging; one 
half of the revenue to amend the schoolmaster’s wages 
of the free grammar school, and the other half to be 
laid out in corn and firing, to be given to the poor of 
the same town about Christmas. J He also appointed his 
executors to purchase land to produce £60. per annum; the 
first year’s rent he gave to the university of Cambridge, for 
poor scholars that were sick, to come once in five years; 
the second year’s revenue to the town of Wisbech, to 
be lent to young men to help to set them up, and to 
pay it back in twenty years without interest, and this 
to continue until there should be £200. stock, coming 
every fifth year; the third year’s revenue to the town of 
of Cambridge, in the same manner; the fourth year’s 
revenue to the town of King’s Lynn, and the fifth to 


* Fuller says he was born at Wisbech. 

t Now called the New Inn, in the same line of houses with the Rose 
and Crown inn. 

J This donation is distributed on the 21st December, (St. Thomas’s day) 
in every year. 


WISBECH. 


323 


the town of Ipswich (being the town where Mr. Butler, # 
of famous memory, was buried) with the like conditions. 
After the stock of £200. accumulated for each town, then 
the every fifth year’s rent of the land, when purchased, 
should be received by each corporation, after bestowing 
thereout two pounds for having a sermon preached in each 
town for the year in which the rent is received; then the 
remainder to be “ given and bestowed upon honest, poor 
“ men, that be in prison for debt, or old women, or for the 
“ relief of poor men in want, or to relieve them out of 
“ prison for debt; and that the trustees should relieve the 
“ most honest, godliest, and religious persons, men and 
“ women, in the said several towns, that have lived 
“ well, and had a good report, being fallen into decay 
“ by some extraordinary occasion, and not to give it to 
“ dissembling, hypocritical persons.” 

The money was laid out in the purchase of an estate 
at Fleet, in Lincolnshire, consisting of one hundred and 
eighty-one acres, three roods, thirty-seven perches; the 
rents of which are appropriated in quinquennial rotation to 
the university of Cambridge, and the towns of Wisbech, 
Cambridge, Lynn, and Ipswich, for the use of the poor 
there. The income under the old leases amounted to 
£395. 10s. per annum, and these expiring at Lady-day 
1827, the estate was then let for one year, on conditions 
veiy beneficial to the property, at the sum of £ 439. 


* Mr. William Butler was a physician, born at Ipswich, and educated 
at Clare Hall. He practised at Cambridge without a degree, but the 
oddity of his manners, and the bold method in which he treated his patients, 
often successfully, rendered him a favourite in his profession. Some anec¬ 
dotes of him are recorded, which exhibit him more as a capricious character 
than a man of sound sense. He died in 1618, aged 8‘i. He left no writings 
behind him. 


X 


324 


HISTORY OF 


The town of Ipswich will receive thy rents due at 


Lady-day . 1828 

The university of Cambridge, in. 1829 

town of Wisbech, in. 1830 

town of Cambridge, in. 1831 

town of Lynn, in. 1832 


An allotment of land, containing eight acres, in 
Wisbech High Fen, was set out in right of the house 
given by Mr. Crane’s will, now called the New Inn. 

a.d. Lord Viscount Saye and Sele gave £ 100. to the 

1656. capital burgesses, the interest of which is annually 
expended in clothing for poor people, which the capital 
burgesses provide at Christmas. 

1656. William Holmes gave £200. to be lent in sums 
of £ 10. a piece to poor tradesmen for three years, without 
paying any interest. He also gave £400. to be bestowed 
in land, for the placing and maintenance of two scholars 
at St. Mary Magdalen College, Cambridge. This was 
laid out in the purchase of forty acres of land at 
Holbeach, in Lincolnshire, which then produced a rent 
of £ 20. per annum, but is now let on lease at £ 60. per 
annum, and the accumulation of the unapplied rents 
amounts at this day to about £ 2,500. stock in the three 
per cent, annuities, besides the rent of the said estate 
at Holbeach. 

Mr. Thomas Grainger Hall was the last young person 
who received the benefit of this benevolent institution of 
the founder. This gentleman was educated by the Rev. J. 
Jackson, and pursued his studies with such perseverance, 
that in the senate-house examination of the year 1824, he 







WISBECH. 


325 


distinguished himself by obtaining a wrangler’s degree,* 
being fifth in rotation, besides obtaining three prizes of 
books from his college, in testimony of his superior attain¬ 
ments. Mr. Holmes was a native of Wisbech, and left this 
bequest, for the space of seven years, to scholars of the 
grammar school, born in the parish of Wisbech, and who 
had been educated there for three years, and whose 
friends’ and parents’ estates were not wholly suffi¬ 
cient to maintain them as scholars in the university of 
Cambridge. The present revenue is about £ 140. per 
annum for the two scholarships. 

Secretary Tiiurloe gave £150.; the interest to be a. n. 
applied towards putting out poor children apprentices. 1658. 
He gave £50. to make a causeway from the corn market 
to the little sluice; and also £ 50. for purchasing books 
to be added to the public library in the church. 

Richmond Girling by will gave £2. to be dis- 1658. 
tributed every ten years amongst the most honest, poor 
people, by the churchwardens, issuing out of lands in 
Stradbroke, in Suffolk. This will be due to the parish 
of Wisbech in the year 1828. 

Mrs. Middlecote by will gave £2. to be paid 1658. 
yearly for six sermons on Wednesdays in Lent. 

Mr. Henry Pierson gave most of his books to 1664. 
the church library. 


* The terms Wranglers, Senior Optimes, and Junior Optimes, are honorary 
distinctions at the university of Cambridge, originally applied to those who 
excelled in scholastic disputations, and which are still retained, now that 
the merits of the students are ascertained by more certain criteria. The 
young men are arranged in order, according to their attainments, as deter¬ 
mined by an examination which occupies the five preceding days. 

*2 


326 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. Mr. Richard Royce gave sixteen acres of land in 

1669. Wisbech fen, out of the rents whereof was to be bought 
a piece of plate for the church, and afterwards, the rents 
were to be applied in the purchase of clothing for poor 
widows, which is provided for them at Christmas. 

1701. Mr. Richard Loake also bequeathed £100.; the 
interest to be applied in clothing five poor widows or 
housekeepers. This also is laid out by the capital burgesses 
for such purpose every Christmas. 

1729. Mrs. Elizabeth Wright, formerly of Wisbech, was 
a splendid benefactress to the town; she gave a house 
near the bridge, which now lets for £60. per annum, 
to the use of the charity school for boys; she also 
directed £ 12. per annum to be paid out of her estates to 
the girls’ charity school. She gave a certain estate at 
Sutton, the rents whereof are to be applied amongst honest, 
necessitous women, that have lived in good credit and re¬ 
putation, and attend at church; and the profits of all other 
parts of her estates, not before appropriated, she gave to 
such charitable uses and in such manner as her trustees in 
their discretion should think fit. The amount of rent of 
these latter estates, independent of the house given to the 
boys’ school, has of late been £340., making together 
£ 400. per annum. 

Mrs. Jane Bellamy, widow of John Bellamy, esq. 
by her will gave £ 200. to such charitable uses as 
should be judged most proper by her executors, who 
appropriated the money to the boys’ charity school. 

1793. Mr. John Baxter gave to the capital burgesses the 
interest of £ 1,200. his property in the funds, being 
then in the navy five per cents, in trust, to allow annually 


WISBECH. 


327 


£10. each to such poor old men or women, totally 
incapacitated from labour, as should be by them thought 
fit and proper objects; with this injunction—that they 
should constantly attend divine worship every Sunday, 
and on neglect thereof, the charity to be discontinued: 
he died in 1798. 

THE SCHOOL FOR BOYS 

% 

is supported by the benefactions of several pious persons,* a.d. 
and Dr. Jobson added to these donations £ 100. The 1811. 
first stone of this school was laid the 16th July 1811. 

It is calculated for the accommodation of two hundred 
and fifty boys. In this school, the principles of the 
Christian religion are to be taught, according to the 
doctrine and practice of the church of England, and 
the admirable method of instruction is pursued, which 
was originally suggested and successfully practised by 
Dr. Bell: the end and aim are to imbue the minds of 
those on its foundation with such seasonable knowledge 
as will make them useful members of society; and with 
such salutary instruction, that they may with their 
growing years advance in that wisdom which will teach 
them, as dutiful children, to increase in affection to 
their parents, in obedience to their superiors, and in 
piety to God.f The funds of this school are in a 
Nourishing condition. 


* Bequests to this school were made by Joseph Taylor, esquire, 
Mrs. Southwell, Mr. North, Mr. Edwards, several of the bishops of Ely, 
Mrs. Trafford Southwell, &c. 

t At the anniversary of the society held in Baldwin’s Gardens, London, 
in 1826, it appeared from the report of the committee read by Dr. Walmesley, 
that the whole number of schools established on Dr. Bell’s plan was 2,200, 
in which there are now educating 330,000 children. 


328 


HISTORY OF 


THE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. 

This institution has long existed on a small scale, but 
in modern times has been much enlarged, through the 
munificent donations of the same Dr. Jobson, whose name 
is honourably connected with all our charities, and the 
late John Edes, esq. of Wisbech, each of whom gave 
£500., which was laid out in the purchase of land in 
Leverington, consisting of 23a. Ir. 19 p. let in 1814 at 
£ 55. per annum. These lands are settled as an endow¬ 
ment and perpetual support of the said school, and the 
children are to be instructed in Christian principles, ac¬ 
cording to the doctrine and practice of the church of 
England, and in the useful arts of knitting, sewing, &c. 

THE DORCAS, 

a.d. for enabling poor persons to purchase clothing at a 
1817. cheap rate, is a most useful charity. The subscribers 
have tickets proportioned in number to the amount of 
their donations and subscriptions, which they give to 
any poor persons, whereby they are entitled to receive 
clothing double the value of the money brought. 

THE SAVINGS BANK. 

These societies being encouraged by the legislature, 
and considered highly conducive to the welfare of the 
poorer classes, as tending to improve their moral con¬ 
dition, by fostering a spirit of industry and economy, 
and to increase their external comforts, by providing a 
safe resource against sickness, old age, and calamity; 
a bank of this nature was established in the year 1818, 
under the sanction of an act then lately passed, by 


WISBECH. 


329 


the name of “ the Wisbech Savings Bank,” for the 
benefit of this town and vicinity. A subscription was 
entered into for defraying the expenses attending 
the formation, which amounted to upwards of £ 400. 
Attendance is given every Saturday at the jury room in 
the shire hall, when such small sums as servants, 
journeymen, labourers, 8tc. may be able to save from 
their earnings, are received, and interest at the rate of 
£ 4. per cent, is allowed thereon. 

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 

was kept up by a lady at her own expense for more than a.d. 
twelve years, until the number increased so as to become 1824. 
too large for a private room, when she found it necessary 
to limit the number. Another Sunday school was also 
for several years maintained by the joint expense and 
attendance of three other young ladies. Dr. Jobson, 
observing the happy effects produced by this system of 
gratuitous teaching, determined to form and establish 
a Sunday school for ever, and with his wonted liberality 
presented the corporation with £500., the interest 
whereof is to be employed in the education, on the Lord's 
day, of poor boys and girls resident in the town: the 
school to be under the direction of the capital burgesses, 

Mrs. Wright’s trustees, and the subscribers to the 
national school. 

THE HUMANE SOCIETY 

has been established many years, but a greater degree 
of activity has lately been excited, and new regulations 
entered into. This useful institution, for the recovery 
of persons apparently drowned, employs its funds in 
defraying the expenses occasioned by using the method 
recommended for such purposes by the London Humane 


330 


HISTORY OF 


Society, and also in rewarding those who have been 
instrumental in rescuing any of their fellow-creatures 
from a watery grave, a guinea being given to such as 
take up a body. The drag, grappling irons, &c. are 
kept in the committee room of the workhouse. It is 
governed by a president, who is the town-bailiff of 
Wisbech for the time being, and a committee of twelve 
persons are chosen annually, with a secretary and 
treasurer. The corporation, the medical gentlemen in 
the town, and the churchwardens and overseers, are 
general managers.* 

THE FEMALE FRIENDLY SOCIETY 

is an unobtrusive and highly useful charity, founded in 
the year 1796, and managed by a committee of ladies. 
The practice of establishing beneficial clubs or societies 
amongst men, called “ Friendly Societies,” for their 
mutual benefit and relief, has been always considered to 
promote the welfare, as well as to relieve the necessities of 
the industrious and deserving part of mankind, which 
induced government to take such societies under their 
protection. Accordingly a few ladies f met together, 


* There is an institution which would be a monument of philanthropy 
to its founders, and which many inhabitants would rejoice to see established, 
amongst the numerous benevolent societies of this town, as tending to 
relieve the miseries incident to the human race. A dispensary is the 
object alluded to, as a magazine for medicines to be dispensed at the prime 
cost of the ingredients, for the benefit of the sick poor. We trust, that if 
funds were once raised to form such an establishment, the benefits received 
from its resources would not only be acknowledged with gratitude, but that 
its directors would be enabled to dispense “ healing medicine to the sons 
“ and daughters of poverty and misfortune with liberality.” 

t This was one of the first of the public charities in this town, in which 
ladies interested themselves, by personal application, to solicit the benevo¬ 
lence of their neighbours, which, by its then novelty, led many of the 
inhabitants to treat their first address with a degree of ridicule, as if 


WISBECH. 


with a view to establish a society upon a similar plan, 
for the relief of such women as might think proper to 
unite for the same good and laudable purposes, and 
to contribute, by their industrious and prudent manage¬ 
ment, towards raising a fund for the relief of themselves 
in times of sickness and old age. With this view, a 
specific number of women within the town of Wisbech 
formed themselves into a society, subject to certain 
rules and regulations, under the patronage, and with the 
pecuniary aid of many ladies, and other respectable 
persons, who agreed to contribute their subscriptions, 
and are considered honorary members. The society is 
not to exceed one hundred members, exclusive of the 
honorary ones. Three or more stewards are appointed by 
the honorary members, who are a committee, for the 
purposes of the institution. A treasurer and secretary 
are appointed, and quarterly and annual meetings are 
holden, when reports are made of new members applying 
for admission, and of the state and condition of the sick. 
Refractory members (if any) are reproved, and abuses 

unbecoming the delicacy of the female sex. Nevertheless, they persevered, 
and brought their good object to a prosperous accomplishment. At this 
time there are several excellent charities existing under the direction and 
personal visitation of the ladies. Such institutions must be acknowledged 
to be much to the honour of our fair country women, and it is no small 
recommendation for ladies associating for such benevolent purposes, to 
recollect that those who, with the tenderest assiduity, attended the Saviour 
at his death, and were the chief objects of his affectionate solicitude at that 
awful hour, were females. This society has rendered essential service to 
the destitute widow, and justly claims the approbation of the public, as 
well as reflects much honour on the original founders ; and, it is trusted, 
the compiler will not offend the delicacy of the surviving ladies who originally 
constituted the committee from whence this institution sprung, by mentioning 
the names of Mrs. Peckover, Mrs. Rebecca Bellamy, Mrs. Garnham, and 
Mrs. Usill, the two latter of whom are deceased. 


HISTORY OF 


endeavoured to be prevented. The best means are 
taken, by placing the money out at interest, to improve 
the fund, which at this time amounts £1629. 126-. No 
person is admitted above the age of forty-five, nor any 
person in bad health or of ill fame. Honorary members 
pay five shillings admittance, and six shillings and six¬ 
pence a year, continuing the same yearly; and each of 
the other members pay two shillings and sixpence entrance, 
and a subscription of sixpence halfpenny the first Monday 
in every month in advance. If any member be taken ill 
or lame, and cannot pursue her usual employment,, 
(provided her misfortune does not arise from her own 
misconduct) she is allowed three shillings and sixpence 
per week for the first month of her confinement, and 
afterwards two shillings and sixpence a week, as long as 
the stewards think proper, until she shall recover. 
Twenty shillings is paid to a married woman, on the 
death of her husband, and five shillings for each of 
her children then living under the age of fourteen years. 
The monthly subscription of each single member and 
widow ceases at fifty-eight years of age, provided she 
has had no relief, (if otherwise, at sixty) and she then 
is to be paid the sum of £ 4. per annum for life, provided 
she became a member previous to, and £ 2. 125. if after 
a certain year, and in either case exonerated from 
further payments. 

From the time of the establishment, 1st February 
1796, to 1st February 1827, this society has paid the 
aggregate sum of £ 1462. 11s. thirty-five women, on 
an average, being benefited by it in each year, viz. 


WISBECH. 


333 


' / 

£. s. d. 

To women during their confinement in 

childbed, the sum of . 335 0 0 

During sickness, the sum of. 414 16 0 

Deprived of their husbands by death 46 15 0 

The annuities, which commenced in 

1811, amount to. 666 0 0 


£ 1462 11 0 


Twenty annuitants are now on the list, receiving £ 4. 
per annum during life. 

The intention of the ladies was to have kept one 
hundred benefited members constantly upon the list, but 
when the annuities commenced, the income was discovered 
to be very inadequate to fulfil the claims thereon, which 
made it necessary to institute an inquiry into the state 
of the fund, the result of which was a resolution, th^t 
the then present members should receive annuities of £4. 
per annum, and that the future annuities to all members 
thereafter admitted should be £ 2. 12s. On account of 
the insufficiency of the fund, it was found necessary, 
in the year 1803, to reduce the number of persons 
benefited from one hundred to sixty, which have been 
since increased to eighty, where it is now stationary.* 


* The extent or usefulness of this charity is not so generally known as 
it ought to be; it is possessed of peculiar claims upon the benevolent, under 
which impression, the compiler has been more copious in its description; 
for in sickness and old age, our fellow creatures have claims upon the feelings 
of their more affluent neighbours, and where can our abundance be bestowed 







HISTORY OF 


CLOTHING THE NECESSITOUS POOR 

is another excellent charity, instituted in the year 1816, 
supported by ladies. The donations are from three to 
six shillings, and the tickets are distributed to the poor in 
winter. The committee are always happy in expressing 
their grateful acknowledgments to such ladies as kindly 
aid the design of the institution by presents in clothing. 

OTHER FRIENDLY SOCIETIES 

for raising subscriptions amongst the male members 
thereof, or by voluntary contributions for their mutual 
relief, or maintenance of their members in old age, 
sickness, and infirmity, or for the relief of the widows 
and children of deceased members, are established in 
the town to the number of five, consisting altogether 
of more than four hundred and eighty members. The 
effects of these popular institutions are very salutary 
and beneficial to those who are most interested in their 
success—the mechanics and labourers of the kingdom. 
The smallness of the sums contributed renders their 
payments to be scarcely felt as a privation; while the 
assistance afforded in cases of sickness is of the utmost 
importance to the poor and their families. They also 
create a spirit of independence, the best antidote to the 
evils of the poor rate, and consequently induce habits 
of forethought, prudence, and industry. Besides these 


more laudably, than in relieving tlie necessities of deserving and industrious 
sick and aged persons'? Mrs.Metcalfe, the worthy secretary, who feels the 
strongest interest in promoting the benefits of this institution, has kindly 
furnished the compiler with the above particulars relating to it. 


WISBECH. 


335 


public charities, there are many subscriptions for 
benevolent purposes, as well amongst those professing 
the principles of the established church, as amongst 
Christians of other denominations, both collectively and 
individually, and several benefit or amicable societies 
are well supported.* 

RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS. 

Manifold as are the blessings, says Southey, for which 
Englishmen are beholden to the institutions of their 
country, there is no part of these institutions from which 
they derive more important advantages, than from its 
church establishment. That venerable church has pro¬ 
vided in her liturgy a form of prayer, so beautiful, so 
devout, so correct, so scriptural, so admirably adapted, 
both as to its matter and language, “ for all sorts and 
“ conditions of men,” that it has been frequently, and with 
much propriety, denominated the first of uninspired com¬ 
positions. We cannot but consider those congregations 
who are deprived of it, however pious and efficient their 
ministers may be, as sustaining a great loss. We will 
not venture to assert that any division of the visible 
church of Christ is exclusively modelled on the standard 
of perfection : the members of every church should ex¬ 
ercise mutual charity and forbearance, for it becomes 
the children of God to divest themselves of that bigotry 
which inclines some men to consider no others as 
Christians, but those who belong to their own church. 


* The annual revenue derived from public charities in England, arising 
from rents and profits of messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, 
from dividends belonging to any corporation or society of persons, or of 
any trust for charitable persons, is very considerable, and is said to amount 
to £ 972,399. 11s. The annual revenue in Wales, for similar purposes, to 
£ 3,519. 13s. lid.; and in Scotland, to £ 53,079. 3s. lid., making a gross 
total for England, Wales, and Scotland of £ 1,028,998. 8s. lOd. 


I 


336 


HISTORY OF 


The true Christian will love all who love the Lord 
Jesus Christ in sincerity; he will admit that no part 
of the visible church is free from imperfections, and will 
acknowledge also, that every part of the building, which 
in its essentials is erected upon the foundation laid by 
Christ and his apostles, contains those who are members 
of Christ, children of God, and heirs of Heaven. Let 
us then love, as brethren all those whom God receives 
as his children, and look forward with hope and expect¬ 
ation to the glorious period, when the church of Christ 
will be one in faith, hope, and love, and all live together 
in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace, and 
in righteousness of life. Let the spirit of Christian love 
and forbearance influence all our labours, and the precepts 
of the bible be our constant guide, whilst at the same 
time we admire that gracious gospel and those precious 
doctrines of “ the truth as it is in Jesus,” which God 
hath revealed to us in his Holy Scriptures, and which are 
able to make all who receive them “ wise unto salvation.” 
There are many bodies of Christians in this nation, who 
differ in some degree from the church of England, as 
established by law. No man, how r ever, ought or is to 
be molested on account of his religion, who complies 
with the regulations required by existing statutes. In 
this town, those who dissent from the established church 
have places of worship erected for the celebration of 
their respective services, and in the enumeration thereof 
we shall commence with the 

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 

Their meeting house is situated on the North Brink, 
and is correspondent with the primitive simplicity of 
the body. They consider that true spiritual worship 


x 


WISBECH. 


337 


consists in communion of soul with the Creator, not 
interrupted by ceremonial ordinances or religious ob¬ 
servances, originating in the invention or contrivance 
of men. In the burial ground adjoining to this meeting 
house is a grave, the edging with which it is surrounded 
is in the shape of a coffin, planted with box, kept and 
clipped in the neatest order, with the initials ‘ J. S.’ and 
the word and figures ‘ aged 88—1742/ formed also in 
the box, planted over the body there interred, which is 
said to have been that of ‘ Jane Stuart,’ a descendant 
from the royal family of that name. There is also a 
monumental stone to the memory of John Hancock, 
who died in 1751, aged 77. 

METHODISTS. 

The term Methodist has been indiscriminately applied 
to dissenters in general, and to persons of every deno¬ 
mination, who manifest a more than ordinary degree of 
personal religion. There is, however, a body of professing 
Christians to which the name properly belongs. The 
Methodist society was first founded in 1729; Mr. John 
Wesley, then a fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, with 
his brother and two others, set apart some evenings in 
the week for reading the Greek Testament, conversation 
and prayer. Others soon afterwards joined them, when 
they formed rules for the regulation of their time and 
studies, for reading the scriptures, and self examination, 
and thus obtained the name of “ Methodists,” from the 
exact regularity of their lives. The Wesleyan Methodists, 
as they are now called, were first formed into a society 
in 1738, after Mr. Wesley’s return from America, where 
he went to preach the gospel to the Indians. Wesley 


338 


HISTORY OF 


professed the doctrine of Arminius, whilst Whitfield 
declared his full assent to the doctrines of Calvin. This 
difference of sentiment between these two eminent men 
caused a separation, and their followers continue to be 
divided to this day. The Methodists maintain, that by 
virtue of the blood of Jesus and the operations of the 
Holy Spirit, it is their privilege to arrive at that maturity 
in grace, and participation of the Divine nature, which 
excludes sin from the heart, and fills it with perfect love 
to God and men.* The following is a statement of the 
numbers in their society in July 1826, extracted from 
the minutes of conference : 


In Great Britain . 191,217 

Ireland. 23,800 

West Indies and other foreign stations 27,442 
America . 240,924 


Total number in the Methodist societies 483,383 


Their travelling preachers amount to about 650. The 
Methodist Chapel at Wisbech stands in the Crescent, it 
is w^ell fitted up with pews, and will contain about 550 
persons. It was erected in the year 1803. 

THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, 

situated on the castle premises, and forming nearly one 
whole side of the avenue called Castle Square, leading 
into the Crescent, is a neat and commodious building, 
about fifty-four feet long, by thirty-four wide, and 
capable, in its present state, of accommodating nearly 


* Jones’ Religious Opinions. 







WISBECH. 


339 


five hundred persons. It was erected in the year 1818, 
by the united exertions of a few families in the town 
and neighbourhood of the Independent denomination, 
and is, together with the house adjoining, built for the 
use of the officiating minister, secured to protestant 
dissenters of that faith and order. The whole cost of 
this property, which is freehold, amounted to upwards 
of £ 2000. 

The Independents are a sect of protestants, so called 
from their maintaining that each congregation of 
Christians, which meet in one house for public worship, 
is a complete church ; has sufficient power to act and 
perform every thing relating to religious government 
within itself, and is in no respect accountable to other 
churches. The first Independent or Congregational 
church in England was established in the year 1616. 
Mr. John Robinson, a Norfolk divine, is considered as 
their founder. The religious tenets maintained in this 
section of the Christian world are, in substance, the 
same with those of the venerable assembly of divines 
which met at Westminster in 1643, in the reign of 
Charles I. and in general accordance with the doctrinal 
articles of the Church of England, except on those 
points which relate to ecclesiastical polity and discipline. 
The Rev. William Holmes is the present minister, 
whose qualifications for his office as a man and a 
Christian are highly respectable. 

BAPTIST CHAPEL. 

The General Baptist society in this town appears to 
have originated during the time of the protectorate: at 
least it is certain that in that period, a congregation of 

Y 


340 


HISTORY OF 


this denomination existed in Wisbech.* Their former 
meeting house, situate in Place’s Yard, was built in 
1797. A Mr. Henry Place, from whom, probably, the 
name was derived, accommodated them with the ground .f 
Their present chapel in Ely Place was erected in 1803, 
and can accommodate from four hundred to five hundred 
persons. They are denominated General from their 
belief in general redemption, or that Christ died for 
all men, and not, as is supposed by the advocates for 
Particular redemption, for only a certain part. The late 
Mr. Joseph Proud, eminent as a minister and a writer 
among the followers of Baron Swedenborg, was son 
of one of the former ministers of this society. From 
1783 to 1799, when he removed to Hinckley, Mr. J. 
Freestone was their minister. He is known as the pious 
author of “ Reasons for not being a Socinian,” “ En- 
u couragements for Travellers to Zion,” “ Directions for 
“ Young Ministers,” and several other useful publications. 
He died at Hinckley in 1819. Their present minister is 
the Rev. Joseph Jarrom, whose services among them 
commenced in 1802. This gentleman superintends an 
establishment, belonging to the denomination, for edu¬ 
cating young men for the ministry. A benevolent 
institution was established by this congregation in the 
year 1818, called “ The Christian Fund,” for providing 
for the labouring classes in time of sickness. 

V 

THE JOHNSONIANS 

are a body united in the tenets of the Baptist church, 
and have a place for worship in Ship Street, or, as it has 


* General Baptist History, vol. 1. p. 138—141. 
t The Society’s Church Booh. 


WISBECH. 


341 


of late been called, Hill Street. Their origin is recent, 
and may be dated from a few individuals withdrawing 
from the congregational meeting in DeadmaiYs Lane, in 
V\ isbech. The separation took place in November 

1792. Mr. Fisher, of Norwich, was then invited to take 
the pastoral charge, which he accepted. The present 
chapel was first used for public worship on 1st December 

1793. Mr. Fisher was ordained over the people in 
January 1794, since which the congregation is said 
to have greatly increased. He died in April 1803, 
when the church and congregation earnestly solicited 
Mr. Dawbarn to take the pastoral care, who, after many 
requests, and with the unanimous desire of the church, 
consented, and was ordained over the people April 1804, 
and has continued ever since to officiate and administer 
the several ordinances. They derive their name or title 
from Mr. John Johnson, who was for many years pastor 
of a Baptist church in Liverpool, and died at a very 
advanced age, about forty years ago. He published 
several volumes to explain and defend his sentiments. 
There are but few societies of this denomination. They 
are to be found in London, Liverpool, Norwich, 
Wisbech, Newark, See. but none of their congregations 
are numerous. 


THE PRESBYTERIANS 

used to have a place of worship on the northern side of 
Ship Lane, beyond the old grammar school. The last 
minister was a Mr. M’Miller, at whose ordination, that 
eminent dissenting divine, Dr. Doddridge, attended at 
Wisbech, and preached a sermon on the occasion, which 
was afterwards printed. Mr. M’Miller was buried in 
Wisbech church yard. The number of this description 

y 2 


342 


HISTORY OF 


of dissenters being small, no other minister succeeded 
him, and by degrees t^e building falling into decay, the 
premises were sold, with the ground whereon the same 
stood, which is now occupied by Mr. James Harrison. 
The late Thomas Cox, esq. was one of the trustees of 
the chapel. 

THE SOCINIANS 

have a chapel in Deadman’s Lane. Socinus, who died 
in 1604, is generally considered as the founder of this 
denomination, and from him they derive their name. 
Modern Socinians, being strenuous advocates for the 
Divine unity, now claim the appellation of Unitarians. 
They were but little known in England until the reign of 
Charles I* They acquired some distinction from the 
writings and influence of Dr. Priestley and his associates, 
but are now said to be on the decline.* They reject the 
doctrines of the Trinity, Original Sin, Atonement, &c. 

It is proper to observe, that the dissenting bodies have 
several institutions of a charitable and religious nature 
in connexion with them, such as Sunday Schools, 
Missionary Societies, the Bethel Union, Friendly Soci¬ 
eties, &c. all which are well supported, and do credit 
to their zeal. 

A District Committee of the Society for 'promoting 

Christian Knoivledge 

O 

has been instituted at Wisbech, but before we par¬ 
ticularize its establishment, we will refer to the origin of 


* Jones’ Religious Opinions. 


WISBECli. 


343 


this society. Early in the year 1699,* a few individuals 
of elevated station and eminent piety, both among the 
clergy and laity, began to meet together in a voluntary 
society, and as such, with unanimity and zeal, and with 
numbers gradually increasing, they exerted themselves to 
advance the knowledge of true religion, by such methods 
as appeared to them most conducive to that end. The 
object of the society is expressed by its name—“ For 
u promoting Christian Knowledge” generally through¬ 
out the world, consisting partly of subscribing, and partly 
of corresponding members; the former contributing 
towards the support of the expenses of the institution, 
and the latter, of such persons in Great Britain and 
Ireland, and other parts of the world, as are invited to 
correspond with the society, to acquaint them with the 
state of religion. 

About the middle of the year 1701, at their instance, 
a charter was obtained from his majesty king William 
III., by which many of the then subscribing and cor¬ 
responding members, with several other persons of 
distinction in church and state, were incorporated by 
the name of “ the Society for the Propagating of the 
“ Gospel in Foreign Parts,” for the better carrying on 
of that branch of the society’s design which related to 
the colonies beyond the seas, belonging to the united 
kingdom. The members, however, of the voluntary 
society, still continued, in that capacity, to prosecute 

* The first meeting took place 8th March 1698-99, at which were 
present, the right honourable lord Guildford, Sir Humphrey Mackworth, 
Mr. Justice Hook, Dr. Bray, Colonel Chichester, &c. In a short period, 
they were joined by seven bishops, dean Stanhope, Robert Nelson, esq. 
author of the Companion for Fasts and Festivals, and many other eminent 
characters. 


344 


HISTORY OF 


their benevolent design at home . The education of youth 
in the principles of the Christian religion, and in habits 
of useful industry, has ever been an object of the 
society’s special regard and concern. To disperse the 
holy scriptures, the liturgy, and many pious and judicious 
works and tracts, has been another principal branch 
of its design. In 1709, the society circulated copies 
of a new edition of the Welch common prayer 
book ; and in 1714, a new impression of the Welch 
bible was printed; then followed Irish and Mank’s 
impressions. From a very early period, the spiritual 
necessities of the army and navy have constituted one 
important department of the society’s concerns : copies 
of the holy scriptures and other books having frequently 
been granted to both those great national establishments. 
The religious wants of the poor and afflicted in hospitals, 
prisons, workhouses, and other public institutions, have 
been attended to, and packets of books sent to every 
county gaol. The sources from which the society was 
enabled to carry on these and other important and ex¬ 
tensive designs, have been annual subscriptions, with 
legacies * and occasional donations. The proceedings 
of the diocesan and district committees are regulated 
according to the transactions of the original society. 
Their objects are to increase its influence and means of 
circulating religious books; to invite all persons in a 


* Some of the legacies are as follows : the first was a generous one of 
X 4,000. bequeathed by a lady in 1728 ; after that, several legacies from 
X 1,000. to X 100- > and in 1791, Peter, lord Vryhouven, in Holland, died 
in London, leaving two-thirds of the residue of his personal property, which 
amounted to X 27,331. 4s. 2d. in the three, four, and five per cent, stocks. 
And by a decree of the court of chancery in 1805, transfers were made of 
the residue of the personal estate of the Rev. Richard Canning, of Ipswich, 
of X 9,946. 4s. lid. stock. 


WISBECH. 


345 


district, whether clergy or laity, to become subscribers, 
with a contribution annually of not less than one guinea; 
to promote parochial collections for the uses of the 
society, and supply of books to the district; to afford 
members a facility of obtaining books upon favourable 
terms, and to ascertain the wants of the several parts of 
each district. Of the diocesan committee of Ely the 
lord bishop is president.* At the report of the diocesan 
committee, held at Cambridge 15th December 1826, it 
was announced that the sub-committee had distributed 
in the course of that year, 324 bibles, 344 testaments, 
535 prayer books, and 5,011 tracts. If we take a view 
•f the inhabitants of the earth, it will be shewn that 
there remains still a vast field for exertion lying open to 
Christian benevolence, ere the blessings of civilization, 
mental improvement, rational liberty, and Christianity, 
are fully communicated to the Pagan and Mahometan 
world. It is said, that the number of inhabitants on 
the whole earth at one time may be estimated at 
820,000,000, which, with regard to religion, may be 
calculated as follows: 


Pagans . 


490,000,000 

Mahometans. 


130,000,000 

620,000,000 

Roman Catholics .... 

100,000,000 


Protestants . 

43,000,000 


Greeks and Armenians 

50,000,000 


Jews . 

7,000,000 

200,000,000 



820,000,000 

* Of the district committee for 

the deanery of Wisbech, established 


there in the year 1813, the Rev. J. Jackson is secretary, who is em¬ 
powered to receive benefactions or annual subscriptions. 










346 


HISTORY OF 


So that it appears there are more than four Pagans or 
Mahometans to one Christian, and only one Protestant 
to seventeen of all other denominations ; and there are 
six hundred and twenty millions of our fellow men, 
ignorant of the true God, and of his will as revealed in 
the holy scriptures. A second branch of the design of 
the venerable society for promoting Christian knowledge 
has been to diffuse the blessings of Christianity, by the 
establishment and support of religious missions, in 
extending its regard to the destitute condition of the 
natives of Africa, and on a more enlarged scale towards 
those of Asia, by the name of 

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 

Foreign Parts. 

This society possesses great facilities in making known 
the Gospel, and a most j udicious zeal has always marked 
its operation. A society in aid of this institution was 
last year established at Cambridge, and the Rev. R. J. 
King, who has for many years been the respected 
assistant and curate to Dr. Jobson, has employed his 
influence in exciting at Wisbech that interest in others 
which he feels himself in promoting its objects. Of 
this society, at Cambridge, his royal highness the duke 
of Gloucester, chancellor of the university, is patron ; 
the right honorable the earl of Hardwicke, lord lieutenant 
of the county, and the most noble John Henry duke of 
Rutland, vice patrons, and the right reverend the lord 
bishop of Ely, president. By the report of the committee, 
there are at present one hundred and three missionaries, 
and one hundred and thirteen schoolmasters, employed in 
the service of the incorporated society, and it is proposed 
to add very considerably to their number. The income 
of the society, arising from every available source, cannot 


WISBECH. 


347 


be estimated at more than £ 23,000. per annum, while 
its annual expenditure amounts to £ 27,000. Still the 
society continues to enlarge the sphere of its operation, 
in the full assurance that the deficiencies will be supplied 
by the liberality of the British nation. 

THE BIBLE SOCIETY. 

In the year 1804, the British and Foreign Bible 
Society was established, and recommended to public 
patronage and support. Lord Teignmouth, a nobleman 
of distinguished manners, talents, and virtues, was ap¬ 
pointed president. Various auxiliary societies, following 
the example of the parent society, were established in 
most of the considerable towns in the united kingdom. 
An earnest desire was felt by many inhabitants of this 
town to form an auxiliary society for the isle of Ely: 
their wishes were communicated to the earl of Hardwicke, 
the lord lieutenant of the county, wffio readily promised 
to give the society his support, and his lordship accord¬ 
ingly attended a public meeting at Wisbech in the month 
of May 1813, when he condescended to accept the office 
of president; the meeting was most numerously attended, 
and several animated speeches delivered. From that 
period, the society has continued, and seems to acquire 
additional vigour. The distribution, from the formation 
to the year 1826, makes a general total of 6,755 bibles 
and testaments circulated by the society from the com¬ 
mencement of its labours. The president and vice- 
presidents are at this time as follows : 

* *. i * 

PRESIDENT, 

The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Hardwicke. 


348 


HISTORY OF 


VICE-PRESIDENTS, 

The Hon. and Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Kildare. 
The Rt. Hon. Lord Francis Godolphin Osborne, M.P. 
The Rt. Hon. Lord Viscount Milton, M.P. 

The Rev. R. Chatfield, LL.D. 

Thomas Clarkson, Esq. Playford Hall, Suffolk. 

The Rev. George King, Prebendary of Ely. 

William Dunn Gardner, Esq. of Chatteris. 

The Rev. Richard Dods, Rector of Fleet. 

William Watson, Esq. High Bailiff of the Isle of Ely. 
Jonathan Peckover, Esq. of Wisbech. 

COURT OF REQUESTS. 

An act of parliament was obtained in the year 1748, 
for establishing such court for the isle of Ely, for the 
recovery of small debts under forty shillings, which act 
was obtained through the exertions of a former vicar, 
Dr. Warren, afterwards bishop of Bangor. Commis¬ 
sioners are appointed, and sit at Wisbech the second 
Friday in every month. These courts, though they have 
some conveniences, are not approved by all, as the basis 
of the decisions is laid on wrong principles, the inter¬ 
ested oath of the plaintiff being decisive, and the 
defendant being called on to prove perjury, or in other 
words, to prove a negative, which is an absurdity. At 
this time there is a bill before parliament “for preventing 
“ Delays and Expenses in the Proceedings of County 
“ Courts, and for the easy and more speedy Recovery of 
“ Small Debts in England and Wales,” which, it is 
conceived, will be attended with general utility, by 
taking cognizance of all actions of debt, which shall not 
exceed £ 10. 


WISBECH. 


349 . 


A LITERARY SOCIETY 

\ 

was established in the town in the year 1781. The 
subscribers are about eighty-four. A room is appropriated 
for reading at the house of Mr. Henry Leach, the libra¬ 
rian. Every person, on being admitted into the society, 
pays £ 3. 3s. as his right to a share in the library, 
besides the sum of £ 1. Is. as an annual subscription. 
The library consists of more than 2,500 volumes. A 
president is annually elected, which appointment has 
been held for twenty-one years by the Rev. Jeremiah 
Jackson, to whom the subscribers at large are indebted 
for his indefatigable exertions, and to whose attention to 
the library, it is a satisfaction to bear a grateful testi¬ 
mony.* The collection of books is constantly receiving 
augmentation by publications of merit in the various 
departments of literature and science. 

* This respected gentleman, having removed from Wisbech, declined the 
office for which he was so well qualified, when the following resolution 
was entered at the annual meeting on 3d August 18 °26: “ Resolved, 
“ that this meeting, while they regret the retirement of the Rev. J. 
“ Jackson from the office of president of this institution, feel a pleasure 
“ in recording their unanimous and most cordial thanks to him for his 
“ long, able, and zealous attention to the interest and prosperity of the 
“ society, and for his uniform courtesy to the different members —and 
William Watson, F.A.S. was nominated president in his room for the 
year ensuing. This society originated at a private meeting of a few 
friends at the house of Jonathan Peckover, esq. before mentioned, whose 
name is too well known and respected in Wisbech and its neighbourhood 
to need any eulogium, either upon his private virtues, or for the patronage 
he affords to scientific pursuits. The compiler has been favoured with the 
original note which led to this institution, conveying an invitation to certain 
gentlemen to meet at the Rose and Crown inn, for the purpose of establishing 
a well chosen library, on a permanent and increasing plan, dated 29th March 
1781, and signed by the following gentlemen : 

“ Thomas Sheepshanks, John Hancock, 

“ Mann Hutchesson, Jonathan Peckover ” 


350 


HISTORY OF 


THE BANK 

at Wisbech is conducted by Messrs. Gurneys and 
Peckovers, a most respectable firm, who have acquired 
and long retained what they justly merit,—the highest 
degree of commercial confidence and respectability, both 
in the town and neighbourhood ; their bills are made 
payable at the house of Messrs. Barclay, Tritton, and 
Co. London. 

THE SEMINARIES 

are numerous, besides the grammar school, so that 
ignorance cannot be said to be fostered by this part of 
the community. The greatest facilities are, in fact, 
given to the acquisition of knowledge among all classes, 
and the instructors of youth are held in due estimation, 
as among the most useful members of society. 

ASSEMBLIES 

are held in the winter season at the Rose and Crown 
inn, which has been a place of public reception and 
entertainment for nearly four hundred years. It was 
originally known by the sign of the Swan, # and 
afterwards of the Horn, a figure of which is still to 
be seen on one of the outbuildings, erected in 1601. 

THE THEATRE 

is situated nearly in the centre of the town, and is well 
adapted for the purpose. It was built in the year 1793, 

* See deed, dated 17th August 1471, p. 297. 


WISBECH. 


351 


previous to which, a building in Pickard’s Lane, now 
belonging to Jonathan Peckover, esq. since converted 
into a barn, was used for theatrical purposes. A large 
building also, on the Sutton road, was afterwards used 
for the like purpose, previous to the present erection 
in Deadman’s Lane. The very respectable manager, 
Mr. Robertson, pays his annual visit to the inhabitants 
in the spring season. 

THE POST OFFICE 

is situated in a central situation in Hill Street, and 
shuts every day at four P.M. but the bags are not 
closed until half-past four. The mail, when not retarded 
by the weather, arrives from the south about eight in the 
morning, every day except Monday, and no post sets 
out for the south on Saturday. The mail is at present 
brought from Huntingdon by a cart. # 


* The town possesses convenient modes of travelling.—Coaches go 
daily to London in twelve hours. The Defiance leaves Wisbech every 
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning at seven A.M. and the Day, 
every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at the like hour, the 
former from the New Inn, and the latter from the White Hart. The time 
for leaving London is eight o’clock, the Defiance from the Golden Cross, 
Charing Cross, and the Day from the Belle Sauvage, Ludgate Hill. Two 
coaches also pass daily through Wisbech to and from Norwich and 
Stamford; a branch from which is established to Boston. By these con¬ 
veyances a convenient communication is formed between the eastern and 
northern districts of the kingdom. The fares are as follow;— 



INSIDE. 

OUTSIDE. 


0 £ > . s. d » 

c£. Sm dm 

From Wisbech to London 

.... 1 16 0 

10 0 

Norwich 

.... 140 

0 15 0 

Stamford 

.... 0 16 0 

0 10 0 


A packet, called the Nene Packet, belonging to Messrs. Simpson and 
Co. Peterborough, arrives from Peterborough every Tuesday and Friday, and 


/ 


352 HISTORY OF 

THE INNS, 

of which there are four, are well conducted. The Rose 
and Crown and the White Hart are both good posting 
houses. Also the White Lion and the Vine inns, besides 
several other houses, which, varying in their accommo¬ 
dations, are adapted to all ranks and descriptions of 
travellers. 


THE POLICE 

of the town may be said to be w T ell regulated. The 
magistrates are appointed by the lord bishop, the 
custos rotulorum, and are justices within the isle. Those 
acting for the Wisbech division meet for the transaction 
of public business on every Wednesday and Saturday, 
at the new town hall, and sit from twelve to three on 
each of those days, to inquire into and determine 
respecting offences, as well as to hear and adjust differ¬ 
ences ; and it may truly be said that it is their wish to 
be looked upon with, and to uphold, a feeling of respect 
amongst their neighbours, by preserving the peace 
between the several classes of society.* Sessions are 
held every quarter, at Wisbech and Ely alternately, on 
the Wednesday in the usual week appointed for Sessions ; 
and assizes are held for the isle twice a year,f at which 


returns frpm Wisbech on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, taking 
passengers and goods. It is commodiously fitted up, and the fares are 
moderate, being 2s. 6d. each person, from Wisbech to Peterborough, in 
the cabin, and 3s. 6d. in the fore part of the vessel. 

* The present acting magistrates at Wisbech are the Rev. Abraham 
Jobson, D.D. Robert Hardwicke, esq. M.D. William W’atson, esq. F.A.S. 
the R-ev. William Hardwicke, M. A. and Henry James Nicholls, esq. 

t In queen Elizabeth’s time, it seems assizes were held twice a year at 
Ely, and once at Wisbech. Cole's MSS. 


WISBECH. 


the chief justice, appointed by the lord of the franchise, 
presides. Counsel attend from the Norfolk circuit, both 
at the assizes and sessions. 

HOT AND COLD SALT WATER BATHS. 

A subscription, supported with considerable spirit, was 
last year entered into for the establishment of baths 
of the above description, for the accommodation of the 
inhabitants. The building, which is a neat and commo¬ 
dious structure, is already finished, and it is hoped the 
baths will contribute in no small degree to the health, 
comfort, and convenience of the town and neighbourhood. 
The expense was about £ 700., raised by shares of 
£ 10. each. 

MANUFACTURES. 

There are none carried on to any extent in Wisbech, 
though cordage for the shipping is made in considerable 
quantities. Property being minutely divided, few persons 
hold any extensive possessions, but there is a very nume¬ 
rous and respectable class of independent proprietors. 

i 

The Lighting and Watching of the Town , with the 

Market and Fairs . 

% 

Wisbech is well lighted* and watched, without any 
expense to the inhabitants, the charge being paid out 

* In the year 1417, under the reign of Henry V., the streets of London 
were first lighted. A decree of the council commanded, that at the door of 
every house in the city a lighted candle should every evening be placed in 
a lantern. In this decree originated the present brilliant illumination of 
our streets. The gas light was introduced about the year 1814. 


354 


i 


HISTORY OF 

of the funds of the capital burgesses. As early as the 
year 1708, watchmen were appointed. The cleansing 
of the town, so far as regards the draining of the waste 
water, is performed by covered sewers communicating 
with the river, the streets having channels for the passage 
of the water into them: and it is needless to remark 
that scavengers are employed to sweep the streets, which 
are in general kept very neat. The town is supplied 
with water from wells, rain-water cisterns, and the river. 
It has a most plentiful market on Saturdays. There 
are several fairs, viz. on Saturday before Palm Sunday 
and Saturday before Lady-day, for hemp and flax, which 
continue to be held every six weeks for a certain period, 
but they may be merely considered as so many larger 
markets., A very considerable horse fair is held on the 
Wednesday before Whit Sunday, which is still attended 
by numerous London dealers, but not so well supported 
by them of late years, since the day of the horse shew 
was altered, which is attributed to other fairs in the 
neighbourhood clashing therewith. A very important 
fair for cattle is held on the 12th of August, to which 
it has been known that 3000 head of cattle have been 
brought. There is a variety of excellent shops in the 
town, for the sale of all descriptions of articles. The 
tradesmen are not only attentive, civil, and industrious, 
but of a most respectable character; they may not abound 
with sumptuous wealth, as some of the metropolitans, 
but all live in a happy, reputable, and creditable manner. 
The trade of the town increases with the improved state 
of the country, and the consequent augmentation of 
produce and consumption. There are several public 
pumps kept in order by the capital burgesses, for the 
general use and benefit of the inhabitants; amongst 


WISBECH. 


onn 


others, is one at a place called the Low, leading from 
the North Brink into Pickard’s Lane, where formerly 
stood a cross called White Cross ; the water supplied by 
this pump is considered to have some medicinal qualities, 
and is particularly recommended in cases of weak eyes. 

POPULATION. 

The first census recorded to have been taken was in 
the latter end of the seventeenth century, about 1676, 
when the number of inhabitants in Wisbech appeared to 
be 1705. Upon an account taken in the year 1801 of 
the population of England and Wales, in pursuance of 
an act of parliament passed for that purpose, the 
numbers returned in Wisbech were 4710, # and 1008 
inhabited houses. In 1811 there were 1237 houses and 
5309 inhabitants. In the year 1821 the return made 
was 1418 houses and 6515 inhabitants, viz. males 3017, 
females 3498, having increased nearly 2000 in twenty 
years. It may not be improper to notice the mode of 
takino' the census in 1821, which was different from that 
observed on former occasions. The actual population at 
the day appointed by the act for that purpose was taken 
of every place in the kingdom, and consequently the 
strangers in Wisbech on that day w r ere included in the 
.account, and the inhabitants absent on that day were 
excluded. The town on this occasion was divided into 
nine districts, and traversed by the churchwardens and 
overseers, sidesmen, and such other inhabitants as 
volunteered their services, to the number, in the whole, 


* Viz. 2,124 males, 2,586 females,—total, 4,710. By a record kept in 
the last century, it appeared that there were fifty-two instances of longevity 
in persons resident in Wisbech between the ages of 80 and 94. 

Z 


: 


356 


HISTORY OF 


of eighteen, viz. two for each district, and the whole was 
thus completed agreeably to the directions of govern¬ 
ment. At the last census, forty persons were between 
the ages of 80 and 90, and three from 90 to 100, shewing 
that several have exceeded four score years; and yet 
many are fearful of entering the fens of Cambridgeshire, 
lest the Marsh Miasma should shorten their lives.* 
The Marsh Miasma above mentioned induces the com¬ 
piler to trespass, by noticing a recent publication of 
Dr. Brown’s, of Boston, in Lincolnshire, on “ Intermittent 
“ Feverswhich, he very properly says, are not of so 
frequent occurrence as they were half or a quarter of 
a century ago; an observation made not only by the 
older inhabitants, but by the medical practitioners : the 
cause of which is naturally to be attributed to the great 
improvements effected in the drainage of the country, 
by the increase of a fertile and productive soil, although 
it is acknowledged that the ague still exists ; but, prior 
to such improvements, few families escaped having their 
inmates labouring under the ague, even in some instances 
throughout the year. In employing a remedy for the 
cure of such intermittents, the bark has been heretofore 


* Several of the abbots, who presided over the religious houses in this low 
country, attained remarkable periods of longevity. In the year 973, it is 
recorded that five monks were alive in Croyland abbey, the youngest of 
whom was 113 years old ; the long protracted lives of so many of its mem¬ 
bers is a matter truly astonishing. Of eight monks massacred by the 
Danes in 870, two were centenaries. Gough’s Appendix. In the population 
returns in 1821 for the whole kingdom, there were 313 people living who 
had attained the age of 100 years, viz. 106 males and 207 females. The 
enumeration of the population of Wisbech here made is of course inde¬ 
pendent of the considerable increase in New Walsoken, which may be 
called a suburb ol the town, though in a different parish. For the general 
returns of the population of the isle of Ely and county of Cambridge, set 
* Appendix.’ 


WISBECH. 


considered to give relief, and the result warranted per¬ 
severance, but advocates have lately come forward in 
support of the sulphate of quinine, which seems to place 
the superior efficacy of that substance in this disease 
beyond a question. Dr. Brown gives several cases to 
illustrate the advantage of this medicine, which will, 
he says, by perseverance, repel and ultimately subdue 
the disease treated of. 

The amusement of horse racing was known in England 

o o 

in early times, and the town of Wisbech could once 
boast of its 

RACES, 

which have now been discontinued for many years. The 
race ground or course was about two miles and a half 
from the town, on a piece of open common, which be¬ 
longed to the parish of Emneth, on the road to Downham. 
In the year 1775, the following horses ran for a purse 
of £50. 

Mr. Dymoke’s Sparkler , 5 years old, 8st. 81bs. 1 


Mr. Clarke’s Daphne, ditto . 2 

Lord Clermont’s Bellissimo, ditto . 3 

Mr. Hubbert’s Pagan, ditto. 4 Dist. 


Bellissimo fell down dead in the second heat, and 
Daphne died soon afterwards. The last races were held 
in the year 1780. 

The name of Baretti (who published his travels into 
several countries) is well known. He came to London 
in 1750, and after residing there ten years, set out in 
1760, through Spain and Portugal, for Italy. In his 

z 2 





358 


HISTORY OF 


journey, he followed the directions of Dr. Johnson, in 
taking notice of whatever scenes passed before his eyes, 
and thus produced a very amusing performance. This 
gentleman afterwards returned to England, and in his 
rambles in the year 1778 or 1779, amongst other places, 
visited Wisbech, and took up his residence with one of 
the principal families, then residing at the castle, at the 
time of the race week. He afterwards published a 
relation of his visits at different places in a series of 
letters, entitled, “ Lettere Familiari de Guiseppe Baretti,” 
in which appears a description of his Wisbech visit as 
follows 


€i Letter 1 1th, to Angiolo Querini, 

“ Behold me now returned to London after an absence 
of fifteen or sixteen days, which I passed in a town 
called Wisbech, distant rather more than one hundred 
miles. Now, most excellent Signor Angiolo, I will relate 
to your excellence what I have been doing during 
the time of my short visit from the metropolis, to 
comply with an invitation from a gentleman of that 
town, whom I knew, and contracted a friendship with 
at Vicenza. 

“ Setting out for this purpose, and travelling one 
whole day and a short part of the night , without 
stopping, I alighted safe and well at his house, which, 
to speak by parenthesis, is not a palace to make a 
figure on our Grand Canal, but only a small, snug house, 
convenient, neat, and abounding in comforts, and every 

* The compiler considers himself very highly indebted to the kindness 
ofv a young lady of Wisbech, who presented him with this translation. 


WISBECH. 


359 


thing necessary in private life; that is to say, a habitation 
exactly the reverse of those of our Cornari, and Morosini, 
and Pesari, and Pisani, and many others, which overflow 
with magnificent and costly furniture, but are in dirty 
and bad condition, totally unprovided with comforts. 

“ Wisbech I was tired with in less than the first week, 
because my host is a man of a somewhat melancholy, 
rather than a cheerful disposition, and he has a mother 
who likes him to be in his rooms reading the bible; 
neither did I see any others in these seven days, except 
a fat priest, who takes great care to eat and drink, and 
but little to unfold his literary powers. Few neighbours 
and inhabitants of the place came to call, although they 
were quickly informed of the arrival of a stranger, 
probably because they are not accustomed to pay certain 
attentions, as in our small places; or perhaps the 
habitual taciturnity of my host alone kept every person 
at a distance from his house. 

“ However that might be, the week which followed 
made ample amends for the dulness of the first, because 
there were horse races, and the theatre, and public balls, 
and public suppers and assemblies, and walks and bustle 
without end : but I will relate every thing in order. 

“ Not having left London since I went thither, I had 
never had an opportunity of witnessing one of the nu¬ 
merous horse races which are held in so many places 
in this kingdom. Now I have seen those of Wisbech, 
and though I am told they are some of the least con¬ 
siderable, yet I am so much pleased with them, that I 
will attempt a description. 


360 


HISTORY OF 


“ Figure to yourself, then, Signor Angioio, a tract of 
land, level and barren, distant about two musket shots 
from the town, and a mile or rather more in circuit. 
The horses which are to run are stationed at the starting 
post: on each side of the place from whence the course 
is to begin, is erected a scaffolding of timber, twelve or 
fourteen feet high, large enough to contain six hundred 
and more persons. Upon one of these scaffoldings stand 
the ladies, as upon the other are the gentlemen, who 
assemble to see the sight; for a place in either of these 
a small sum of money is paid, and no man ascends the 
stand of the ladies, unless a sign be made to him by 
one of them. Immediately after dinner, that is to say, 
at two hours after None,* every one hastens towards 
this place, some in carriages, some on horseback, and 
others on foot. At a stated time, the horses, with the 
jockies on their backs, start together, and in little more 
than the space of six minutes, they run, or rather fly, 
three times round this circuit, so that they run three 
miles in less than six minutes, without being allowed 
an instant to breathe in, and with an impetuosity which 
cannot be conceived by those who have never seen horses 
strive in this manner, as was my case. 

“ The first course finished, these noble animals have a 
good hour to rest, and many men are busily employed 
in this hour to dry and rub them well, and in much 
haste, which enables them to run a second time; and 
then a third, after another interval of an hour; and the 

* Nona , Italian. None, the fifth of the seven canonical hours. BarettVs 
Dictionary. None, or the ninth hour, is the last of the lesser hours, that 
is said before vespers, and answers to three o’clock in the afternoon. 
Chambers Dictionary. See note in p. 86. 


WISBECH. 


361 


itor.se which has shewn the most speed wins the prize, 
which amounts to one hundred guineas; so the proprietor 
of the best horse pockets this money, and the others 
scratch their heads, and curse their bad luck. 

“ These races are regulated by certain laws, which they 
say would make an entire volume, were they collected 
and printed, and probably they are printed, but of this 
I neglected to inform myself. By a rule of these laws, 
the horses are exactly measured before they go out of 
their stalls, and the jockies are weighed, as they must 
be of the prescribed weight, and conform in other respects, 
before they start from the post, and thus regulating the 
measure to the weight, and the weight to the measure, 
by a certain arithmetic of theirs, of which I do not 
understand a cipher, the man and horse of one proprietor 
has not the least advantage over the man and horse of 
another, because if one jockey is lighter than another, 
or one horse higher than another, the difference is made 
up by certain leaden weights, which are placed in the 
girdle of the jockies. 

“ What an extremely fine sight it is to behold how these 
jockies are nailed upon their saddles, and how desperately 
they spur and whip! And these capital horses go with 
such an impetuosity, that you would swear they did it 
only for the honor of victory, quite insensible to the 
cruel whippings and most cruel blows on the flanks, 
which they receive all the way. Arrived at the goal, 
they drop not less with gore than sweat, nor do I in the 
least exaggerate to you, in saying, that in the drying 
and rubbing them, they take from the back of each 
horse not less than a bucket of water. 


362 


HISTORY OF 


<( Another thing will appear very strange to yon, and 
that is, the jockies, when theyl prepare for the races, 
find a method of reducing themselves so much, that 
they are little else than bones and skin; and this they 
effect by walking many nights, up and down, in some 
mountainous place, with a lantern in their hand, and 
many jackets and cloaks upon their backs. But the 
festival over, in which they frequently gain large sums 
of money, they eat and drink so much, that in a few 
days they recover their lost flesh, and acquire often 
still more than they had before their fasting. 

“ But how shall I find words to express the confusion 
and the noise made in this place, from the vociferations 
of the bystanders, and the universal clapping of hands, 
as applause, and from the running of many thousand 
persons on foot, and the riders on horseback, within and 
without the circuit, whilst the racers speed their way. 
Added to these, the invitations so many make to others 
to lay wagers. The ladies in this country, if I am well 
informed, are ashamed to pass for lovers of play, but 
there, they do not know how to restrain themselves, and 
resist the general mania of betting, and thus they wager 
amongst each other for a pot of coffee, so many pounds 
of tea, chocolate, or some other little thing ; but it is 
done in a different manner by the men, many of whom 
bet round sums of money, by which they are at once 
either enriched or impoverished, each shaking in the air 
a purse full of gold, or lifting up his hand full of those 
notes which are called bank bills, each equivalent to 
the sum expressed upon them. 

“ The races finish as night approaches, when every one 
returns to his residence, and there all put on their best 


/ 


WISBECII. 


363 


attire, for they go to the races in dishabille, as the 
French say, whether gentlemen or ladies, and at an 
hour of the night they go to the ball, which is held in a 
public room, where the ladies do not pay on entering. 
There they begin minuets, as are used in our public balls, 
and then proceed with so much animation in the country 
dances, that the gentlemen, as well as the ladies, are 
quite in a heat. When fatigued with dancing, they 
are informed that supper is prepared in another large 
room, and each hastens to sit down at a very long table, 
composed of many tables of equal width, and placed 
one next another; there the men sit all in a row on 
one side, and the ladies all in a row on the other, so that 
each has his lady opposite to him ; and some good priest, 
or one of the principal gentlemen, in default of a priest, 
sits at the top of the table, and blesses the victuals with 
a short prayer, to which all standing reply in chorus, 
Amen; and then every one eats and drinks, and chats, 
and laughs, and jokes, all with propriety and infinite 
modesty. He would be esteemed very clownish, who 
should offend, however slightly, female ears with any 
improper discourse, even with the lightest of those 
equivocations so much in use in our rude Vinezia. 

“ The agreeable supper over, the whole expense is 
divided, and all paid by the gentlemen. Then they 
return to dance or to look on, and when Aurora begins 
to dawn from the balcony of the east, as the poets fancy, 
all the party disperse and return home. 

“ This was my amusement for three days during the 
second week which I spent in Wisbech, and I may tell 
you it was very cheerfully passed ; and do not be tired 
of my saying over and over again, that I was much 


HISTORY OF 


pleased with the elegant and most decorous manners of 
the English, who celebrate these noisy festivals in many 
parts of their kingdom almost all the year, without foolish 
flirtations, improper conversations, and without alterca¬ 
tions and contentions, which would not perhaps be the 
case with us, should we adopt the plan of having similar 
races, and if we had them in every point like theirs, 
that is to say, with these balls and the suppers afterwards, 
men and women of various classes mixing together with 
the familiarity and friendship common here. I cannot say 
enough of the pleasing manners and elegant conversation, 
animated and always very modest, of these ladies and 
gentlemen, whether married or single; each speaks, is 
silent, smiles, or jokes, or dances, or any thing else, 
with a grace, sweetness, and a demeanour, which leaves 
no room for suspicion against their morals; and yet the 
mirth of each is great, and each does what she is able, 
to shew herself lively and agreeable, so as to contribute 
a little to the pleasure and delight of the festival. 

11 In the days when the horses did not run, the evening 
was spent in a wretched theatre, where certain poor 
devils of players represented some comedy or tragedy, 
very differently from those of London, but which, how¬ 
ever, helped to make the time pass agreeably, collecting 
the company together, and causing perhaps still more 
laughter in tragedy than in comedy : nor were there 
wanting small games at cards to fill up a vacuum, 
without naming the morning and evening walks, which 
pleased me much, because they were taken with most 
amiable ladies and girls, into whose favour I succeeded 
in introducing myself, so that I was permitted to chat 
with them, and to make use of innocent stratagems, to 
which, in every country, a stranger has recourse, to 


WISBECH. 


prove himself not unworthy to be on sociable terms with 
those whose society he seeks ; and thus I passed this 
whole week without perceiving how it went. 

“ The races being over, and consequently the numerous 
company who came to attend them from the neighbour¬ 
hood having departed, I soon took leave of my host to 
return, which I did leisurely, stopping in several places 
by the way. However, if I must tell you the truth, I 
did not see many objects to attract my observation. 
In Peterborough, an episcopal city, a few miles distant 
from Wisbech, is a church, very large, antique, and 
gothic, in which, among other things, are two mauso¬ 
leums, or remarkable monuments; one contains the 
bones of Catherine of Portugal, first wife of Henry VIII. 
whom he repudiated after many years marriage to espouse 
Anna Boleyn ; the other incloses those of Mary, queen 
of Scots, whom her rival Elizabeth perfidiously caused, 
after many years of shameful imprisonment, to be be¬ 
headed, more from jealousy of her beauty than of empire. 
Behind the sanctum sanctorum of this church, there is 
a large library for the use of the studious in that city. 
In the church, are perceived remains of sepulchres 
erected to certain former abbots, because in Peterborough, 
there was in those days an abbey, famous for its exceeding 
riches. At the entrance of the church, on the left hand, 
there is another monument consecrated to the ridiculous 
memory of a certain man named Scarlet, who died in 
the time of Cromwell. This Scarlet, as it appears, was 
many years keeper, or, as they say, sexton of this church, 
and upon the wall opposite to this monument, there is 
a picture of his short, spruce figure, with a legend 
underneath, which informs the reader of a circumstance 
most important to know, viz. that Mr. Sexton Scarlet, 


HISTORY OF 


366 


on account of his alarming and driving idle and imper¬ 
tinent youths from the church, acquired the surname of 
bugbear of the babies; and it is certain, that if the 
picture has been faithfully drawn, the good old man has 
a countenance to frighten cats, but not to alarm little 
boys; and the inscription informs us that he died, after 
having lived ninety-eight years healthy and robust. 
Do you the same, if you can, my dear Signor Querini, 
although you are neither small nor ugly, nor a sexton, 
as this Scarlet was; and if a long story does not displease 
you, let me know, and you shall not fail of receiving 
others, before I take my departure from this island. 
In the mean time, salute for me your brother and 
nephews, and all friends separately, and let me hear of 
vou and them. Adieu !” 

•J 

LAND-TAX. 

The land-tax in this kingdom succeeded to the place 
of the ancient fifteenths and subsidies. We meet with 
the payment of fifteenths as far back as the statute of 
Magna Charta, in the conclusion of which the parliament 
grant to the king, for the concessions therein by him 
made, a fifteenth part of all their moveable goods. In 
8th Edward III. (1333) a certain sum was rated on 
every town, by commission appointed in the chancery 
for that purpose, in like manner as commissioners now 
appointed by the several land-tax acts. But as the 
necessities of government multiplied, and value of things 
increased, this fifteenth was insufficient for the occasions 
of the public, and thereupon the number of fifteenths 
was augmented to tw r o or three fifteenths; which, still 
proving defective, another and quite different taxation 
was superadded, namely, a subsidy, which was an aid to 


WISBECH. 


367 


be levied of every subject of his lands or goods, after 
the rate of 4s. in the pound for lands, and 2s. 8 d. for 
goods. The fifteenths were certain, but the subsidy 
was uncertain, and amounted anciently to about £70,000. 
and a subsidy of the clergy at the same time (including 
the monasteries) was £20,000. In 8th Elizabeth, a 
subsidy amounted to £ 120,000. The way of assessing 
was, however, irregular, until parliament found it neces¬ 
sary to change the method of taxation, and at length 
determined that a certain sum should be fixed upon the 
several counties; and in 4th William and Mary, the first 
land-tax act was passed, which was entitled, “ An Act 
“ for granting to their Majesties an Aid of Four Shillings 
“ in the Pound for one Year, for carrying on a vigorous 
“ War against France.” Commissioners were appointed 
in every county, and assessors required to rate every 
town, and many of the inhabitants rated themselves 
proportionably for their several parts, to make up the 
general sum upon the township. This course of taxation 
continued, and land-tax acts were passed annually, until 
the 38th George III. (1798) when it was made perpetual, 
and the sum fixed to be paid in Great Britain is 
£2,037,627. 9s. Of d, 9 subject to redemption by purchase, 
on conditions therein set forth. The sum charged upon 
the town of Wisbech is £ 633. 8s. 8 d. whereof £ 182.14s. 
has been redeemed. The annual amount of assessed 
taxes, including the North Brink Watch, is £2477. 5s. 

Particulars relating to the former State of the Streets 

in the Town. 

Improvements at all times go hand in hand with 
civilization. In the eleventh century, the streets in 
London were not paved, nor is it quite certain when 


368 


HISTORY OF 


such convenience was first introduced. In 1084 
Cheapside was of such soft earth, that when the roof 
of Bow church w as blown off by a violent gale of w ind,* 
four beams, twenty-six feet long, w ere so deeply buried 
in the earth, that little more than four feet remained 
above ground : “ for the city of London was not paved, 
u but a moorish ground.” 

The houses from the spot where the bridge now- 
stands to High Street, on the side leading to Yorke 
Row, and in front of Deadman’s Lane, were not erected 
until the protectorate of Cromwell. In the year 1665, 
there is an order in the town records, that “ the market 
“ should be all sufficiently paved and made ” by the 
town-bailiff, but as the materials wherewith it was to 
be paved are not specified, it is presumed that it was 
only covered with loose silth, for there are persons 
living at this time, who recollect the streets being com¬ 
posed of the same sort of soft earth as Cheapside, when 
planks were laid across the High Street, in the winter 
season, for the convenience of foot passengers, lest they 
should be mired in crossing from one side to the other. 
At such period, there was an open sewer running on the 
north side of the High Street, with three little bridges 
over it, at certain distances, and posts by the side for the 
accommodation of hanging horses thereto. In London, 
footpaths did not begin to be generally adopted until 
1673, and about sixty years afterwards, such improvement 
extended to Wisbech, which commenced by a pavement 


* This appears to have been a most violent tempest; for the London 
historiographers all agree that many churches and upwards of six hundred 
houses were blown down, and the tower much damaged, besides the above 
extraordinary circumstance of the rafters. 


WISBECH. 


369 


of small cobbles next to the houses; this was followed 
about ten years after, (1750) by paving the centre of the 
High Street with large cobble stones, a gutter running in 
the middle of the street, so that loaded waggons meeting 
in contact could scarcely pass each other in safety; and 
the last improvement took place under the paving act. 

At the end of High Street, where the engine is kept, 
next to the Rose and Crown inn, the common sewer re¬ 
mained and was exposed to open view, part only thereof 
being covered over, of sufficient width for passengers to 
cross. This covering consisted of flag stones, on which 
certain steps were raised, with a wall, having a front 
towards the market-place, about three feet high: on these 
steps the town crier ascended, and, leaning against this 
wall, delivered his public notices to the assembled 
populace, which caused that spot to have the appellation 
of the “ Crying Stone.” Such was the state of that 
part of the town about seventy years since, as related to 
me by a very respectable old inhabitant,* who has a 
perfect recollection of the condition of the streets, as 
above stated. The same person likewise recollects a 
very old building, situated in a place called the Butcher’s 
Row, which now constitutes part of the open market¬ 
place ; but at a period when the butchers’ shambles were 
standing, an intervening space was formed between the 
shambles and the opposite houses on the south-west 
side of the market-place, which then went by the name 
of the Butcher’s Row. This building, whilst it remained, 
seemed to shew more of antiquity than any other in 
the town, from whence, some conjectured that it was 
built in king John’s reign, though with little probability. 


* Mr. James Stanroyd, now aged 94 (i827). 


0 


HISTORY OF 


There was, indeed, some rude carved work in front, on 
wood, which seemed to be a man felling an ox, and 
other devices, with an inscription in Saxon characters, 
unintelligible. This building afterwards belonged to 
Mrs. Elizabeth Wright, a great benefactress to the 
town, # and was last in the tenure of Bridget Osborn, 
and being in a very ruinous state, was taken down 
in 1811, and the ground let on a building lease to 
Mr. William Bell, a respectable tradesman, who now 
occupies the same in its modern state, as part of his 
shop for business. In front of a modern tenement in 
Timber Market, on the eastern side, there used to be 
six curious Roman bricks, with raised figures represented 
upon them in the front. Although consisting of six, 
they appeared duplicates. Drawings have been taken 
of them, which will accompany this work': there is 
no authentic history relative to them; the only account 
is, that an ancient dwelling, which was destroyed by 
fire, stood on the site where this modern erection 
was afterwards made, and in digging the foundation, 
the six bricks above mentioned were discovered amongst 
the ruins. 

Wisbech, like Stamford, was formerly famous for its 
annual bull running, which took place on Shrove Tuesday, 
when the animal was generally let loose from the shop or 
building before described in Butcher’s Row. This cruel 
practice was abolished about thirty-five years since, prin¬ 
cipally through the exertions of a very active and intel¬ 
ligent magistrate, then acting in this division.f It has 
been shewn that the town, for these last thirty years, has 


* See title—* Public Charities,’ page 326. 
t The ltev. Thomas Sheepshanks, A.M. late rector of Wimpole. 


* 


■•r 



E-M«u»2e del. 


Roman Brick foxmd at Wisbecli, Cambrd&g'eslxire. 


3^*mt>ecl lcTJ 


I 


P. Simoaia.^t. 










WISBECH. 


°71 
u / 1 


been rapidly increasing in size and importance, as well 
as in the erection of buildings. But for many years 
preceding, Wisbech had excited considerable respect 
from a very notable observer of buildings, who described 
the houses to be in general handsome; and that the 
bridge, stretching Rialto-like over a considerable stream, 
with a row of good houses extending from it and fronting 
the water, exhibited a Venetian appearance, especially 
if viewed from the London entrance.* Mr. Med worth, 
before alluded to,f may be said to have set one of the 
first examples towards improvement, but nothing has 
promoted the general benefit of the town, or given a 
stimulus to the spirit of the inhabitants so much as 

The Act for Improving the Town , 

which was passed in the year 1810, entitled, “ An Act 
“ for establishing a Cattle Market within the Town of 
“ Wisbech, for taking down and removing the Shambles 
“ therein, for paving, cleansing, lighting, and watching 
“ the said Town, and removing Nuisances therein, for 
“ preserving and improving the Port and Harbour of 
“ Wisbech, and for increasing the Duties at the said 
“ Port.” 

This act has proved most importantly beneficial to 
Wisbech, and if the future funds are well managed, 
will be a blessing thereto. In consequence of this act, 
the streets are now well paved, and a flat pavement of 
Yorkshire slab is laid upon the sides next to the houses, 
independent of their being well lighted, kept from ob¬ 
structions and nuisances, and regularly swept, which 



* Coles’ MSS. 


t See page 13?. 


372 


HISTORY OF 


gives a very agreeable appearance to the town. The 
act has now been in existence seventeen years, and ever 
since the passing thereof, the town has continued to 
advance in prosperity. The numerous buildings on the 
roads adjacent to the town, (besides the Crescent, con¬ 
sisting of between fifty and sixty new houses) strongly 
evince an augmentation of opulence, whilst every vacant 
space within the town is appropriated to the use of 
the builder. There are many useful clauses in this 
act, which provide for the appropriation of the cattle 
market, the limits of the port, and increase of its 
tonnage duties, the paving of the streets, which are 
placed under the direction of the capital bnrgesses, with 
the removal of all noisome buildings, and the preventing 
of future encroachments and projections. The streets 
called Yorke Row, the Crescent, Church Street, Ely 
Place, and Market Street, are by this act acknowledged 
to be private property ; but it is to be regretted that they^ 
were not placed under its useful regulations. The con¬ 
sequence w as, that in wet seasons they w r ere for several 
years in a very miry condition, but the inhabitants of 
that part of the town have lately shewn their spirit, by 
contributing from their private purses a sum sufficient 
to pave and gravel the whole space, which has added 
much to the cleanliness and ornament thereof. In 
perambulating the town, there will be perceived con¬ 
siderable stir and bustle, without any exterior signs of 
w ant, and much to please and gratify. 

TURNPIKE ROADS. 

Safe and easy travelling is now become so conducive 
to the comfort and economy, not only of the immediate 
resident, but also of the public generally, that we must 


WISBECH. 


373 


not omit to give some account of the present state of 
the highways in this neighbourhood; indeed, no circum¬ 
stance respecting a town is of more consequence than 
the state of the roads surrounding it: this is the capital 
trait which marks the degree of improvement at which 
a people are arrived. The first act in our statute books 
relating to highways is in the year 1284, (13th Edward I. 
stat. ii. c. 5). In the reign of William III., turnpike 
acts were passed, such as at present, appointing com¬ 
missioners, authorizing tolls, 8cc. It is not more than 
seventy or eighty years ago, since the internal traffic of 
this country was carried on chiefly by means of pack 
horses. We are old enough to remember, when some 
of the first districts in the island, distinguished for their 
rich cultivation, were so deficient in the state of their 
roads, that a carriage could scarcely pass along without 
the greatest difficulty, and all intercourse nearly ceased 
with the autumnal rains. Roads were then in so 
WTetched a state, that even a waggon was seldom seen 
upon them. Notice has already been taken* of a petition 
to parliament in the year 1729, setting forth the almost 
impassable state of the roads, for “ waggons, beasts, 
“ and sheep to London, which were obliged to go over 
“ Wisbech bridge.” The first turnpike act in this 
neighbourhood w r as passed in the year 1766, for making 
a road from Chatteris ferry, through Chatteris and 
March, to Wisbech Saint Peter’s, and from thence to 
Tid Gote, and from Wisbech, through Outwell, to 
Downham bridge, in the county of Norfolk. When this 
road approached within four miles of the town of Wisbech, 
it was carried on the top of a high bank called Waldersea 
bank, in width less at that time than thirty feet, to 
pass along which had to many persons the appearance 

; * See page 281. 


374 


HISTORY OF 


of great danger; this inconvenience is, however, now in 
a great measure removed, by an addition of twenty feet 
in width on the surface of the bank, the whole of which 
is now covered with the durable material of gravel. 
This laudable and useful work was first proposed and 
adopted in the year 1817, as a means of relieving the 
poor, whom want of employment greatly distressed. 
The parish of Wisbech subscribed a certain sum, and 
the trustees of the turnpike road advanced an equal 
sum, and by the judicious use thereof, many industrious 
men were substantially relieved by being employed in 
raising and widening this road ,* besides which, it had 
this further good effect, that when a person applied for 
relief under the pretence of scarcity of work, it served as 
a touchstone to distinguish the justness of his complaint. 
The poor who are fit for employment ought, as far as 
possible, to find it for themselves, or have it found for 
them: maintaining them in idleness is only teaching 
them to be useless and wicked. Indeed, the poor 
themselves should consider, that continuing to live upon 
alms, when they are able wholly or in part to live upon 
the produce of their own labour, is injuring the com¬ 
munity. Industry is an indispensable duty of the poor. 
The improved width upon Waldersea bank ought to be 
publicly known to all travellers resorting to Wisbech, as 
the fears of the most timorous may be now dissipated, 
nor need any apprehensions of alarm be entertained by 
reason of the narrow surface of the bank, which has now 
a width of fifty feet, upon an average, well gravelled and 
kept in an excellent state along the whole line, besides 
a raised protecting bank against the steep side thereof. 
Within the period of about twenty-five years, the mail in 
the winter months was often obliged to be brought from 
Guyhirn to Wisbech by a boat, on account of the then 
intolerable state of the road upon the bank, consisting of a 


WISBECII. 


375 


fcilth and clay surface. All the roads in this country used 
heretofore to be formed of silth, a sort of sand from the 
sea shore, but that plan has for some time given way 
to the more durable material of gravel, with which the 
surface of the whole line of road belonging to this district 
is now covered, and this has been accomplished by the 
perseverance of a gentleman, who has deserved and is 
entitled to the esteem of his neighbours, for the long, 
valuable, and useful services rendered by him, not only 
in this instance of the roads, but for his general conduct 
in the public concerns of this division of the isle. # It 
will scarcely be believed by those unacquainted with the 
circumstance, that previous to the year 1810, there was 
no direct carriage road between Norfolk and the central 
counties which was not for almost six months in the year 
impassable; the carts stuck fast in the deep clay, and 
it was deemed little short of madness to undertake a 
journey along this tract, except during hard frost. The 
chief obstacle occurred in the neglected and dangerous 
avenue between the towns of Wisbech and Thorney. 
This has now been converted, though at considerable 
expense, into a safe and excellent road, by the operation 
of an act for making and maintaining a turnpike road 
between these two towns, which was passed in the year 
1810. The subscriptions were liberal, and the increase of 
traffic is so enlarged, and the funds so well managed, that 
the several creditors on the road receive at this time five 

* The inhabitants of Wisbech and its neighbourhood endeavoured to 
testify their approbation of the praise-worthy exertions of this gentleman, 
Robert Hardwicke, esq. M.D. for his able discharge of a variety of im¬ 
portant duties, equally advantageous to the public and honourable to himself, 
by purchasing a service of plate of the value of one hundred and twenty 
guineas, which was presented to him at a public meeting at the town-hall 
in Wisbech, in the month of October 1821. 


HISTORY OF 


per cent, on the original shares,* and have done so for 
many years. The reproach, therefore, of bad roads is 
now wealing fast away, and at this period facility of 
travelling is equal to any that can be found throughout 
the kingdom, and the effects of good example are already 
beginning to appear upon the bye and cross roads. 

About the year 1811, a general spirit of improvement 
prevailed in different parts of the country with regard to 
the amending of the highway and turnpike roads. The 
honorable house of commons appointed a committee to 
inquire into their general state, and the result was the 
recommendation of a better method of road making, and 
the plan advised by John Loudon APAdam esq. a 
magistrate and commissioner of roads in the west of 
England, became so generally approved, that on adopting 
his system, a new term became applied, in speaking of 
the reparation of roads, by describing them as being 
macadamized. APAdam’s principles are, that a road 
should not be high in the middle, but ought to be 
considered as an artificial flooring, at once capable of 
carrying a great weight, and over which carriages may 
pass without being on any dangerous slope. Three 
inches higher in the centre than at the sides, (where there 
are eighteen feet) are sufficient to allow the water to 
run off. Every road to be made of broken stone, 
without any mixture of earth, clay, &c. and nothing 


* His grace the duke of Bedford, always desirous of promoting every 
public good for the country, and who held the right of a toll at each ex¬ 
tremity of his lordship of Tliorney, voluntarily surrendered up his claim 
in the most liberal manner to the trustees, as soon as the road became 
turnpike ; thereby rendering an actual benefit to the extent of the amount 
of toll, which is now hired at £ 283. per annum. The residue of the road 
from Thorney to Peterborough was previously made turnpike in the yearl?92. 


WISBECH. 


377 


laid upon the clean stone on pretence of binding, as the 
broken stone will combine by its own angles, and form 
into a smooth and hard surface; the large stones are 
recommended to be broken so that none exceed six 
inches, and the materials to be of an uniform size. 
Ten inches in thickness of well consolidated materials, he 
considers equal to carry any thing, and such materials 
to be broken to the size of six inches; and in cases 
of an old road, where it had ten inches of materials 
before, no new ones would be wanted. The extent of 
revenue throughout the kingdom raised for maintaining 
roads, he calculated at about a million and a quarter 
per annum, on the toll revenue, there being 25,000 
miles of turnpike road; and he believed the debt then 
amounted to £7,000,000. in England and Wales. About 
the year 1818, Mr. M‘Adam’s plan became generally 
pursued on all the public roads. 


378 


HISTORY OF 


A CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNT 


OF SEVERAL MISCELLANEOUS OCCURRENCES WI1TCH 
HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE TOWN 
AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 


1 

A. D. 

1000 About this time the manor of Wisbech was given to 
the abbot and convent of Ely, by Oswi and Leoflede. 

1086 William the Conqueror erected the castle of stone. 

1190 A grant of exemption from tolls in fairs and markets 
throughout England, to the tenants of Wisbech Barton 
manor, by king Richard I. has been before mentioned,* 
and in the 12th Henry IV. (a.d. 1411) it was renewed, 
and the grant confirmed by writ of privy seal in the 
time of Henry VI. This privilege being afterwards 
lost, was restored, as collected from that homely verse 
before mentioned f amongst the monuments, inscribed 
on a brass plate inserted on the monumental stone of 
Mr. Nicholas Sandford, who died 8th February 1638. 

1216 King John visited Wisbech. 

1236 A most violent storm on Martinmas and other following 
days, when the sea by the violence of the wind inundated 
this town and the surrounding country. 


* See page 134. 


t See page 267. 



WISBECH. 


379 


A. D. 

1260 The town of Wisbech, with the castle, &c. said to have 
been utterly destroyed by a violent inundation of the 
sea. A few years after this period, there fell such pro¬ 
digious rains, that the Thames overflowed, and broke 
down its banks in many places, which occasioned an 
immense damage, and the fruits of the earth were thereby 
so destroyed, as to occasion the most excessive dearth, 
wheat being sold at £ 6 . 85 . the quarter, equal to £ 60. 
at present (1827), and the famine reigned horrible and 
destructive.* 

1282 to 1393 Ancient records speak of a manor called 
Todenham Hall, in Wisbech, held by the family of 
Todenham in the the 13th and 14th centuries.J- 

1348 A gallows was erected upon the marsh where a wind¬ 
mill now stands, at the bottom of Timber Market, which 
was called afterwards Gallows Marsh. 

1379 In this year the guild of the Holy Trinity was established 
at Wisbech. 

1380 A house of lepers was standing, near which was a stone 
cross, in the road from Wisbech to Elm, being the 
division between the two towns. 

1437 This town was visited with a disastrous event, by the 
decay of the Wisbech Fen Dike, so that the fresh 
waters made so great a breach, that other portions of 
the same bank adjoining were also broke, to the danger 
of destroying the whole country. In Wisbech, 4400 
acres of land were overflowed and drowned, besides 
4500 acres in Leverington, 1400 acres in Newton, and 
2000 acres in Tid. 

1469 King John was not the only crowned head who honored 
this place with a visit, for in this year, his majesty 


* History of London. 

+ Bloomfield’s Collectanea. This manor was probably at Wisbech Murrow. 


380 


HISTORY OF 


A. I). 

king Edward IV. going on a pilgrimage to St. Ed- 
mundsbury, returned by Walsingham and Lynn, and 
thence went by Wisbech, with a suite of 200 horse, and 
proceeded to Crowland. It is extremely probable that 
king Charles I. was also here in his route from 
Oxford to the Scots army at Newark, lord Clarendon 
observing, that he went by many “ crooked and bye 
“ ways,” to escape the forces of the parliament; it is 
certain that he was at Downham, twelve miles distant, 
a walk or passage there still retaining his name. 

1480 Bishop Morton this year rebuilt the castle. 

1549 Was remarkable in Wisbech, as the year in which the 
first charter of incorporation by Edward VI. w as granted, 
on the suppression of the guild of the Holy Trinity. 

1554 After the death of this excellent young king, popery 
w T as again established for a season. The inhumanity 
of the Romish church had consigned many men con¬ 
spicuous for their character or station to the flames, but 
the persecutors were not contented with those victims, 
for they sent artificers and husbandmen, women and 
boys, to the stake; and it is with regret we have to state, 
that between the years 1554 and 1559, two persons of 
the names of William Wolsey and Robert Piggott, in¬ 
habitants of Wisbech, were, after a long confinement 
at Ely, burnt at Wisbech. It is to be observed of the 
martyrs in humble life, that they suffered not for ob¬ 
truding their belief, but for refusing to renounce it. 

1560 About this period, the new market-place was raised by 
soil brought from the river bank, between Crabbe Marsh 
Gate and Elm Learn. 

1570 A great flood happened, which did incredible damage at 
Yarmouth, Wisbitch, Lynn, and other places. A violent 
snow began ten days before Christmas, which increased 
to such a depth in the Christmas holidays, that the 


WISBECH. 


381 


like had not before been known, and continued until 
Candlemas, when the thaw began.* 

1571 The sea banks had been previously presented by the 
court of sewers to be in a decayed condition, but before 
any reparation could take place, the eastern coast was, 
in October in this year, visited by a violent storm of 
wind and rain, so that the banks were unable to with¬ 
stand the tempest; Leverington and Newton were 
overflowed, and Wisbech and its neighbourhood flooded 
some feet deep. Holinshed f presents a doleful picture 
of the devastating effects of this flood : “ The sea broke 
u in,” he says, “ between Wisbech and Walsoken, and 
“ at the Cross Keies, drowning Tilneie and Old Lin, 
“ Saint Marie, Teding Saint Marie, Tid Saint John, 
“Wauple, Walton, Walsoken, Emnie, Jarmans, and 
“ Stow r Bridge, all being in the space of ten miles : 
u these towns and villages were overflown, that is to say, 
“ Wisbech,Guihorne, Parson Drove, and Hobhouse. This 
“ Hobhouse being an almshouse, and the water breaking 
u down the walls of it, the wind blew the clothes oft' 
“ from the bed of a poore man and his wife, who being 
“ cold, awaked, and suddenly stepped out, of his bed 
il to reach up his clothes, and slipt up to the bellie in 
“ water, and then he thinking himself to be in danger, 
“ (as he was indeed) and knowing the best waie to 
“ escape the danger of the water, he took his wife on 
“ his necke, and carried her away, and so were both 
“ saved. At the same time, in Wisbech, a garden or 
u tennis place, and a bowling allie walled about with 
u bricke, worth £ 20. by the year to the owner, was 
u quite destroyed by the water. 


* Blomefield’s History of Norfolk, 
t Holinshed’s Chronicle, vol. iii. p. 1213. 


382 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

u Master Thimblebie lost 220 sheep; Master Dimoke 
“ lost 400 sheep, with several others, so that, by csti- 
“ mation, 20,000 cattle one and other were lost. Bourne 
“ was overflowed into the midway of the height of the 
“ church. 

“ Also Holland, Leverington, Newton Chappel in the 
“ Sea, Long Sutton, and Holbich were overflown, and 
“ in this country also were great loss of cattle. ” 

All Marshland was drowned by the sea waters; there 
were not ten rods of the whole sea bank from Old or 
West Lynn to Magdalen bridge.* 

Holinshed also mentions, that at St. Ives, boats were 
rowed over the church-yard wall, two yards high, without 
touching it. 

1583 In this year, a new wooden bridge at Wisbech was 
built over the river. 

1584 Thomas Watson, bishop of Lincoln, died in confinement 
here, and was buried in an obscure manner.^ 

1587 The plague broke out in Wisbech, when the town was 
divided into ten wards; and in the following year, 
Wisbech (like the metropolis after a similar disaster) 
was visited by a fire, which broke out in the Old 
Market. 

1588 The town does not appear to have materially suffered 
from its late disasters, as the inhabitants cheerfully came 
forward to raise contributions to assist in repelling the 
Spanish armada, and the names of William Sturmyn, 
William Scotred, Robert Girdon, James Sallibank, 
Robert Lyne, Robert Cooper, and Arthur Dalton, 
are preserved as having contributed £ 25. each, which 
must be equal to £100. at least at this time (1827). 


* Parkins’ Freebridge Hundred, page 114. 
t Coles’ MSS. 


WISBECH. 


383 


A.D. 

1592 The butchery was this year erected at the upper end of 
the new Market-place,* and the bishop, on request, 
released his claim to the shambles, and granted the same 
to the corporation by copy of court roll. 

1G00 At this period, the see of Ely became vacant, and 
continued so for eighteen years, during which queen 
Elizabeth received the whole profits, and upon appoint¬ 
ment of the new bishop, the burgesses testified their 
congratulation by directing their town-bailiff to entertain 
the “ lord of Ely” at the assizes, and to provide twenty 
stone of the best beef, a veal , and a lamb. 

1607 Another fire broke out in the Old Market. 

1610 The inhabitants obtained a renewal of their charter 
from James I. 

1613 A very violent storm on the first of November, which 
caused considerable damage, and the sea breaking in 
overflowed a great part of the town of Wisbech, both 
on the north and south side, as well as all Marshland ; 
and in January and February of the following year, the 
country again suffered from the overflow of fresh water 
through a heavy snow: the damage was estimated at 
£37,862.f 

1615 A sluice was ordered to be built at the Horse-shoe, near 
Wisbech, which cost £8000.J 

1619 A corn market house having been built by the burgesses, 
pursuant to Mrs. Sturmyn’s will, and a doubt arising 
respecting their title to the ground on which the same 
stood, the bishop of Ely was solicited to grant the same 
to the corporation by copy of court roll, which was 
complied with. 

* This building was taken down in 1810, and the site was thrown into, and now 

forms part of the present Market-place. 

t Parkins, page 114. 

+ This sluice did not stand above seven days, but was blown up by the tides. 

Dugdale, p. 399, 400. 


384 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

1623 Great rejoicings made for prince Charles’ return from 
Spain, and money paid for beer, cakes, bonfires, &c. 
as well as to the ringers. 

1625 Public festivities on the accession of Charles I. 

1636 As many of the ten burgesses for the year next preceding 
as were then present on 3d November, chose ten others 
for the subsequent year, the freeholders having neglected 
to choose them on the 2d November. 

1637 Another bridge (the last wooden one) was erected over 
the river. 

1642 Wisbech was garrisoned for the parliament during the 
civil war, and colonel Sir John Palgrave seems to have 
been commander of the forces. 

1644 The house of commons made an order, that the com¬ 
mittee appointed for providing fuel for the city of London 
should confer with the common council upon the ways 
and prices of bringing turf and peat from Egham, and 
the fens of Wisbeche and the isle of Ely, for the service 
of the city. 

1646 Edward Buckworth, with others, were fined in con¬ 
siderable sums of money for delinquency, that is, for 
disrespect to the parliament, as appears by the journals 
of the house of commons ; but an ordinance was after¬ 
wards granted for their pardon. 

1647 An inundation, occasioned by excessive rains, by which 
the banks of Wisbech, Elm, Upwell, and Outwell, were 
broken, and 14,000 acres of land drowned, besides many 
cattle, and much loss in corn and hay. 

1651 A fire on the South Brink destroyed Sturmyn’s alms¬ 
houses and several other dwellings. 

1657 A gallery erected in the church for secretary Thurloe, 
at the expense of the corporation. 

1658 The burgesses met on Thursday the 6th January, and chose 
the rt. lion, secretary Thurloe their representative for the 
towny to sit in the ensuing parliament at Westminster. 


WISBECH. 


385 


A. D. 

1660 The bail!ft of the liberty proclaimed king Charles II. 
at Wisbech. 

- The old castle rebuilt from a design of Inigo Jones. 

1664 Wisbech high fen was this year drained and inclosed. 

1668 Secretary Thurloe was accused of high treason. 

1670 About this period, not only towns, but private persons, 
made their own halfpence and farthings, which were 
called tokens, as copper money was much wanted in 
exchange; and in 1671, the town-bailiff expended £20. 
in coining halfpence, with the words, “ A Wisbech 
“ Halfpenny/’ on one side, and the town arms on the 
other. Soon after this, the government took the coinage 
into its own hands. The tradesmen at this time used 
to keep sorting boxes, with several divisions, and when 
a quantity of any man’s or corporation tokens was col¬ 
lected, they took them to be exchanged for silver. 

1671 Another violent inundation of the sea, but Marshland 
was more materially affected than the town of Wisbech, 

1675 Some differences appear to have arisen between the then 
vicar and his parishioners, about the tithe of coleseed, 
which were probably cotemporary with the introduction 
of that species of seed into the parish.* 

1676 On a census taken, the number of inhabitants was 1705. 

1699 In this year, a petition of the capital burgesses of 

Wisbech, together with justices of the peace, deputy 
lieutenants, and other chief inhabitants and freeholders 
of the towns of Wisbech, Newton, Leverington, Tid 
St. Giles, Elm, Upwell, Outwell, Guyhirn, Parson Drove, 
and Murrow, was presented to the house of commons, 
praying that an act might be passed for making the 
river Lark, alias Burn, navigable, because that the said 
towns and country adjacent for ten miles in compass, 
consisted for the most part of pasture, marsh, and fen 


* Coles’ MSS. 



386 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

lands, the produce whereof was mostly employed in 
feeding of cattle, and for butter, cheese, and summer 
crops of oats ; and that the petitioners being supplied 
with wheat, rye, and malt from other counties, (especially 
from Bury and the parts of Suffolk adjoining) by way 
of return, experienced great inconvenience for want of 
navigation to and from thence, their interchangeable 
supply became very chargeable, and in winter, by the; 
badness of the way, impracticable.* 

1703 Grain being very dear, on a pretence of scarcity, much 
rioting took place through the kingdom, and at Wisbech 
assizes this year, fourteen persons were found guilty, 
but were not all executed.f 

1719 Upon a petition presented this year to the house of 
commons, praying that no more salt marshes might be 
embanked, the committee reported, that after hearing 
counsel, it appeared, on the examination of witnesses, 
that the town of Wisbech was an ancient sea port, and 
employed in the trade thereof above thirty ships of 
burden, which'imported wine, iron, deals, coals, pot ash, 
pitch, tar, and hemp, and divers other foreign commo¬ 
dities, as well as exported those of their own manufacture, 
whereby there arose to his majesty an income of £4000. 
per annum, and that there had been shipped off yearly 
from the port of Wisbech, 1000 tons of oil, and 40,000 
quarters of oats : that besides the aforesaid ships, there 
w r ere nearly thirty smaller vessels of tw r enty or thirty 
tons each, which served to lighten the larger ships, and 
to carry commodities to and from the neighbouring 
ports; and by such trade, great numbers of seafaring 
men were employed, which increased the breed of seamen, 
there having been, from Christmas 1718 to Christmas 
1719, cleared at the said port, 241 ships and more.J 

* Journals of the House of Commons. 

t Blomelield. + See page 305, &c. 


WISBECH. 


387 


A. D. 

1722 The poor-house was erected at an expense of £2000. 

1730 The town this year seems to have laboured under a decay 
of trade, which was attributed to certain clandestine 
dealings carried on by hawkers, pedlars, and petty 
chapmen; whereupon a petition w r as presented to the 
house of commons by the gentlemen, merchants, and 
principal traders, praying that such dealers should be 
suppressed. 

1735 About this time, a considerable quantity of oil was made 
and shipped from the port: no less than seven mills 
in the town w^ere employed in pressing it from seed. 

1740 There was a great frost, followed by an untoward 
summer, which brought on a rise of provisions, with 
high price of grain, and on Sunday the 29th June, a 
mob gathered together near the town, entered the same, 
and broke the corn merchants , windows, seized about 
twenty-five lasts of wheat, and forced waggons to carry 
it off, when they sold the same at fourpence per bushel, 
and some at one penny; they then levied contributions 
on the shopkeepers, and collected upwards of £ 30. 
This alarming the gentry and richer sort of traders, 
who at first thought themselves unconcerned, they met 
on the first of July, subscribed nearly £200., and by 
beat of drum enlisted above 500 men, with whom they 
marched to Upwell, (the chief rendezvous of the rioters) 
where they took about forty of them, who, with others 
taken elsewhere, in all about sixty, were laid in irons, 
by which means peace was restored. 

1750 A smart shock of an earthquake was felt in this island 
on 23d August: Dr. Stukeley observes that it extended 
itself to Coventry and Newark, and thence came eastward 
to Northampton, Uppingham, Stamford, Peterborough, 
Wisbech, &c. together with all the adjacent places; 
then it passed over the whole breadth of Ely fen, and 

2 li 


388 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

reached to Bury in Suffolk, an extent of one hundred 
miles in length, and, generally speaking, forty in breadth, 
and all were shocked at the same instant of time. 

1758 The present stone bridge began to be erected, in lieu 
of the wooden one built in 1637, was completed in 1760, 
and crowned with a handsome ballustrade and lamps. 

1763 The north bank of Morton’s Learn Wash broke, in con¬ 
sequence of the flood waters, and ruined a considerable 
extent of the level. 

1766 The act passed for making a turnpike road from Wisbech 
to Chatteris ferry. 

1770 A terrible breach took place in the north bank, and the 
country for several miles was covered with water six 
feet deep, upon the average. 

1773 The act passed for making Kinderley’s Cut, below the 
Horse-slioe; the work was commenced upon forthwith, 
and it is stated, that the first land flood, which came 
in October, ground down the bottom of the new channel 
from twelve to sixteen feet deeper than it was cut, which 
lowered the surface of the water at Gunthorpe sluice 
five feet, and gave immediate relief to the north level, 
and vessels of much larger burthen than before came 
up to Wisbech; whereupon it is thus observed by 
Golborne, in a report then made by him: “ When we 
“ reflect on the great advantages that navigation and 
“ drainage have received from this partial cut, we may 
“ easily conceive the great benefit that would have re- 
“ suited, had it been continued to the Eye; a work 
“ that would have given the town of Wisbech a navi¬ 
gation for large ships, free from the inconvenience 
“ that attends the entrance into the port of Lynn. The 
“ bottom of the river through the town is very hard, 
u with an uneven bottom, the soundings suddenly 
“ changing from three to eight feet. It has been 


WISBECH. 


389 


A.I). 

“ observed, that near Wisbech, the river ebbed two feet 
“ and a half lower than it had done two years preceding, 
“ and the tide flowed near an hour longer. This agree- 
“ able alteration was effected by the river being turned 
“ down the new channel. A pair of stairs appeared at 
11 the side of the river, of which the oldest people living 
“ had not the least knowledge or remembrance. A 
“ stone wall was also seen at the lower end of the 
“ town, which was continued over the river in an 
“ oblique direction, at two feet beneath the surface of 
“ low water; and on the side of the channel below 
“ Gunthorpe, a top of a sluice was seen.”* 

1773 Premiums offered by the corporation for supplying fish 
in the Wisbech market. 

1781 The literary society established; and likewise the asso¬ 
ciation for the prosecution of felons. 

1790 The parish again numbered, when the inhabitants 
amounted to 4710. 

1793 The inhabitants of Wisbech and its neighbourhood opened 
a subscription for supplying his majesty’s troops on the 
continent with extra clothing. 

1794 The canal act passed. 

1795 The castle and surrounding gardens sold by the lord 
bishop of Ely, under an act of parliament, to Mr. Joseph 
Medworth. 

--- The kingdom in general was visited this year by a 

scarcity of corn, and dearness of provision. Though 
this was felt by all in some measure still it pressed with 
severity upon the poor, who would have suffered greatly, 
had they not been relieved by the generous and humane: 
still a spirit of discontent was observed to have prevailed 
in Wisbech for a considerable time, though no serious 


* See note, page 45. 


B 



HISTORY OF 


consequences at first shewed themselves; but on a certain 
market day, a party of labouring bankers paraded the 
town with drums and fifes, having bread and meat stuck 
upon poles, to excite the lower classes to tumult and 
disorder. Their numbers at length increased to that 
degree, that it was necessary to send for the military 
to quell so turbulent a spirit: in the mean time, the 
house of one of the principal inhabitants,* in the 
centre of the town, was thrown open during the 
evening of the day in which this licentious spirit was 
prevalent, for the use of any gentlemen resorting thither, 
so that it became the general rendezvous for all the 
loyal and peaceable inhabitants, who assembled to de¬ 
liberate on measures to be taken for the suppression of 
these disturbances. Whilst the mob w T ere collected 
around this spot, one of the gentlemen there assembled, 
observing one man more forward than the rest in 
exciting his companions to riotous acts, rushed out of 
the hall-door, and seizing this ringleader by the collar 
in the midst of the crowd, dragged him into the house, 
and secured him in safe custody ; this spirited conduct 
had the effect to intimidate the rest of the mob, so as 
to prevent their proceeding to any further act of riot 
at that period; several windows were indeed broken, but 
no particular damage ensued. At another time not far 
distant, the town was threatened wdth disturbance on 
account of the presence of an itinerant orator and noted 
demagogue of that day, who attempted to disseminate 
his licentious principles, by his harangues amongst the 
inhabitants, spending a few days at the castle, and beino 
conducted from thence to the houses of his friends and 


* the late Richard Shepherd, esq. one of his majesty’s deputy'lieutenants, 
whose residence was opposite to the new town hall. 


WISBECH. 


391 


partizans by drum and fife; but the town’s people in 
general gave him very little encouragement, so that at 
length he was compelled to retreat. 

It may not be improper here to observe that upon all 
public occasions, the principal inhabitants, as well as 
those who occupy subordinate situations, have shewn 
themselves, on any emergency, not only loyal to their 
king, but truly attached to their country, by a general 
disposition towards good order and regularity; a proper 
example is set by the magistracy and principal inhabi¬ 
tants, and the people seem to know their just station, 
and while they support an independent spirit, the same 
is so tempered with a becoming submission to those who 
bear rule, as to produce the most happy results to the 
common welfare of the place. A wayward spirit at the 
time of the annual election of capital burgesses may 
sometimes have withdrawn the people from the exercise 
of a sound judgment, yet, in a few months they have 
generally returned to a just sense of the value of those 
services, which, on reflection, they have found to have 
been meritoriously exerted in their behalf; and their 
general feeling, unswayed by political accidental changes, 
has then been exercised in rewarding by their public 
suffrages, the exertions of those gentlemen who have 
employed their talents in behalf of the town. In 
taking a period of forty years, it may be said that such 
will be allowed to be the general complexion and temper 
of the inhabitants of this town; fresh arrivals and the 
introduction of strangers at some periods may affect and 
change their sentiments for a time, but the good sense 
of the elder and longer established residents ultimately 
prevails, so as to subdue the tempers of the new comers 
to the common good feeling of the place. Having become 


392 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

a town of enterprize, the attention of strangers is excited 
towards it; thus a continual succession of inhabitants 
is taking place, who bring with them new sentiments 
and new measures, such as are not always accordant to 
the opinions of those longer acquainted with the town. 
But if the judgment of the latter continue to prevail 
over the innovations of the former, the best interests of 
the place will be then, as heretofore, most likely to 
prevail. 


Volunteer Corps and Local Militia. 

1797 The revolutionary licentiousness, which had taken 
possession of France in the room of a real and substantial 
liberty, w r as now at its full height; an uncommon agi¬ 
tation prevailed throughout the kingdom, in consequence 
of the fear of disaffection at home, and every Briton 
was now called upon to exert himself in the cause 
of his country against both foreign and domestic foes. 
The inhabitants of Wisbech supported their usual cha¬ 
racter of loyalty, by making an offer to government to 
train a corps of volunteer infantry, which being ac¬ 
cepted, a company forthwith was raised, consisting of 
sixty men, of which Mr. Rayner was appointed captain, 
Mr. Hardwicke, lieutenant, and Mr. Fawssett, junior, 
ensign. This spirited corps (chiefly principal tradesmen) 
continued embodied until the peace or truce of 1801. 
From the restless spirit of the French government, and 
from the unbridled ambition of Buonaparte, the then 
first consul and ruler of France, Britain was again called 
upon to defend her honour, for in the space of twelve 
months, hostilities recommenced, when Buonaparte, 
avowing serious intentions to invade this kingdom, a new 
volunteer corps of infantry was raised, to consist of three 


WISBECH. 


393 


hundred men, with an offer to march to any part of 
Great Britain, in case of actual invasion. To this 
corps, the Thorney and Whittlesea volunteer companies 
were united, and Mr. Rayner was appointed lieutenant- 
colonel commandant, and Mr. Edes, major. 

In 1807, colonel Rayner and major Edes resigned 
their commissions, when the earl of Hardwicke was 
pleased to appoint the compiler of this history to be the 
lieutenant-colonel commandant of the new regiment. 
An additional light infantry company was formed at 
Wisbech, and with the reinforcement from Thorney and 
Whittlesea, the battalion consisted of six hundred rank 
and file, and was denominated “ The Third Cambridge 
“ Regiment of Volunteer Infantry.”* ** In 1808, an act 
passed for enabling his majesty to establish a permanent 
“ local militia” force, under certain restrictions, for the 
defence of the realm. By this act, corps of volunteers 
were allowed to transfer themselves, with the approba¬ 
tion of his majesty, into such local militia. The officers 


* As a proof of the estimation in which the services of the volunteers 
were held by the country, we beg to transcribe the resolution of the house 
of commons, passed nem. con.: “ Resolved, that the thanks of this house 
“ be given to the several volunteer and yeomanry corps of the United 
“ Kingdom, for the promptitude and zeal with which, at a crisis the most 
“ momentous to this country, they have associated for its defence. Ordered, 
“ that a return be prepared, and be laid before the house in the next session 
“ of parliament, of all the volunteer and yeomanry corps, whose services 
“ shall have been accepted by his majesty, describing each corps ; in order 

** that such return may be entered on the journals of this house, and the 
“ patriotic example of such voluntary exertions transmitted to posterity. 
“ Ordered, that Mr. Speaker do signify the said resolution and order, by 
“ letter, to his majesty’s lieutenant of each county, riding, and place in Great 
“ Britain, and to his excellency the lord-lieutenant of Ireland.” 


394 


HISTORY OF 


were required to have the same qualifications as the 
regular militia, and the regiments were to be called out 
yearly, to be trained and exercised for twenty-eight days, 
during which time they were to be subject to the mutiny 
act, and in every respect to be under the same regulation 
as other military forces. A bounty of two guineas was 
given to each volunteer who transferred his services. 
Under this act, most of the volunteers in this district, 
officers as well as men, agreed to transfer their services 
into the local militia, when the right honourable the earl 
of Hardwicke, the lord-lieutenant, formed one regiment 
for the isle of Ely, consisting of 1200 men, and one for 
the county,* the isle of Ely regiment was divided into 
two battaliofis, of which the earl Delawarr was appointed 
lieutenant-colonel commandant, and the colonel comman¬ 
dant of the late third Cambridge regiment of volunteers, 
lieutenant-colonel. In the year 1813, his majesty 
considering it important that the most effectual measures 
should be adopted for the vigorous prosecution of the 
war upon the continent of Europe, an act was passed 
for enabling his majesty to accept the services of the 
local militia out of their counties; in pursuance of which 
act, the battalion under the command of lieutenant- 
colonel Watson was assembled at Wisbech, when he and 
a considerable proportion of the officers and men volun¬ 
tarily offered to extend their services to any part of 
Great Britain in which his majesty might think proper 
to employ them. However, Buonaparte’s mad expedition 
into Russia having brought about those reverses which 
ended in a general peace in the year 1814, the local 
militia were not called upon to fulfil their offer. Since 
that event, the corps has never been assembled, but 
the officers still retain their respective commissions. 


WISBECII. 


395 


A.D. 

1798 A meeting was held in Wisbech for considering the 
expediency of making voluntary contributions for aiding 
government in prosecuting the war with vigour, and a 
subscription was forthwith entered into, and the amount 
transmitted to government. 

3 807 It was this year proposed that a turnpike road should 
be formed from the town of Thorney, to lead through 
Peakirke or Black Drove, to Wisbech Guyhirn, and by 
erecting a bridge over the spot where the ferry now 
plies,* communicate from thence to the south or opposite 
side of the river with the Wisbech turnpike road to 
London. A bridge was proposed to be made with 
sufficient water-way and of such dimensious, as not to 
impede the passage of the floods or ice down the 
Wisbech river. The measure, however, created con¬ 
siderable alarm, and apprehensions were entertained by 
the proprietors in the middle and south levels, that such 
a bridge would in floods raise the water much higher 
than it ever had risen before, and greatly endanger 
the adjoining lands, particularly in cases of dams formed 
by the ice in the breaking up of a frost. As the term 
of ice dams may be said in some measure to be pe¬ 
culiar to this part of the country, a description thereof 
may not be unacceptable. After a frost of long conti¬ 
nuance, and when the thaw takes place, and the ice 
begins to break up, particularly in the Wash between 
Guyhirn and Peterborough, where the banks are nearly 
half a mile asunder on the average, and more than 

* The ferry at Guyhirn belongs to the lord bishop of Ely, which is at 
present leased to John Marshall, esq. who provides a convenient ferry-boat, 
and is entitled to take certain tolls. This line of road was not approved of 
by the inhabitants of Wisbech, inasmuch as by uniting with the London 
turnpike road five miles beyond the town, it was likely to draw con¬ 
siderable traffic therefrom. 


396 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

twelve miles in length from Peterborough bridge, such 
ice proceeds downwards, first in columns of nearly an 
acre in dimensions, and from five to nine or ten inches 
thick, diminishing as it passes, according as it happens 
to be acted upon by the friction of its own bodies, or 
by the force of the impelling current, and forms itself at 
length wedgewise against obstructions, and in tier above 
tier, nearly in a vertical position, and not horizontally 
on the surface of the stream ; so that it is almost morally 
impossible for any mechanical force to dislodge with 
timely effect the immense weight and strength of ice so 
accumulated.* Under all circumstances, however, it 
was thought proper to withdraw the plan of erecting a 
bridge over the river at Guyhirn, and in a few years 
afterwards, another for making a turnpike road from 
Thorney to Wisbech was revived, by continuing the line 
direct from thence to Wisbech bridge. 

1809 Wisbech has at all times been distinguished for loyalty 
and attachment to the sovereign. In the grand and 
joyous festivals to celebrate our late revered monarch’s 
(George III.) completion of a reign of half a century, 
over a people who loved and adored him, Wisbech bore 
an honourable and distinguished part. The following is 
a description of the manner in which the event was 
celebrated in this town: This jubilee took place on the 
25th October, and the dawning of one of the finest 
days that ever appeared in that month was ushered in 
by the ringing of bells, and “ the day was celebrated 
“ with loyalty and beneficence. The officers of the 
“ Wisbech battalion of local militia, attended by their 
“ band and stall' on permanent pay, formed part of a 


* The last important ice dam of this nature was formed in the river near 
Wisbech, on the breaking up of the frost in the years 1813-14. 


WISBECH. 


397 


large congregation at church, where an appropriate 
“ discourse was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Jobson, from 
“ Psalm lxxviii. v. 72. ; immediately after which, a 
“ collection was made at the church doors, for the 
“ purpose of enabling the widows, orphans, and afflicted 
“ poor of the parish, to participate in the general joy. 
“ Three excellent volleys were fired by the non-com- 
“ missioned officers of the local militia. In the afternoon 
“ the colonel, with his brother officers, and the gentlemen 
“ of the town, assembled at the White Hart inn, to 
“ drink the long continuance of life and glory to our 
“ beloved sovereign, when several loyal and patriotic 
“ toasts were given, and the day was spent with honour- 
u able exultation and rational festivity. The evening 
“ concluded with a ball, which was graced by all the 
“ beauty and respectability in the town and neighbour- 
“ hood. An interesting spectacle was presented on the 
“ colonel’s lawn, in the pleasing appearance of all the 
“ boys and girls of the charity schools, who were regaled 
“ by his lady with cake and wine, and being united 
“ with the choir belonging to the church, joined in an 
“ anthem of praise to Divine Providence, for vouchsafing 
“ to continue to us a life so greatly dear as that of our 
“ revered monarch, concluding with God save the King. 
“ Nor were the poor men, women, and children in the 
“ workhouse forgotten, for their hearts were cheered on 
“ this happy occasion. 

1814 A general peace took place this year, and the same 
was celebrated at Wisbech by a grand festival to the 


* A lady, the wife of a captain in the navy, collected and published in 
one volume 4to an account of the celebration of this festival in the prin¬ 
cipal towns of the kingdom, and appropriated the profits to “ the society 
“ for the relief of prisoners confined for small debts from this collection 
the account of the Wisbech festival is extracted. 


398 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

poor, who dined at public tables prepared in the market 
place; it was not only gratifying to the thousands who 
partook, but to those who were spectators of it. Roast 
beef, plum pudding, and a liberal quantity of strong 
beer, were provided by the inhabitants of the town. 
Nothing could exceed the spirit and harmony with 
which the festival in honour of the glorious peace was 
conducted. Appropriate toasts were given at the sound 
of the bugle, and at four o’clock all retired to enjoy 
the rustic sports. The plan of the arrangements on 
that day, though on a less extensive scale, was pursued 
on another important era, viz. the coronation of his 
majesty George IV.; we shall, therefore, reserve the 
minutiae of the detail until we record that event. 

1816 Many years having elapsed since any regular valuation 
had been made of the general property in houses and 
lands within the parish of Wisbech, certain intelligent 
persons were appointed to view, and report, according 
to their judgment, on the value of such property, when 
the actual rental thereof was raised from £ 12,000. to 
nearly £20,000., whereon the parish assessment was 
and has been ever since charged. 

Riots at Littleport and Ely. 

- By the transition from war to peace, a number of 

persons were thrown on the country without employment; 
work became scarce, and wages low. The manufacturers 
also were much depressed, so that many discontents 
broke out, not only in the manufacturing districts, but 
in various parts of the kingdom. At Wisbech, a riot 
w as openly threatened, which was only prevented by the 
activity of the magistrates, and the prompt appearance 
of the three troops of yeomanry cavalry of Upwell, 



WISBECH. 


399 


Whittlesea, and March, added to the organized assistance 
of between two and three hundred of the respectable and 
well disposed inhabitants, who volunteered their services 
to be sworn as special constables to act on an emergency, 
d hese measures so effectually paralysed all the intentions 
of the evil-minded and their emissaries, that no public 
disturbance took place, though a considerable number of 
bad characters, as well of the neighbourhood as from a 
distance, strayed into the town on the market-day, mixing 
with the populace in the streets and market, with every 
intention of exciting; them to riot. 

At Littleport the disorder broke out into actual riot, 
f or in the night of the 22d May 1816, a desperate mob 
of men assembled there, and attacked the house of the 
Rev. Mr. Vachell, the rector, and also a magistrate; he 
for some time resisted their endeavours at his door, armed 
with a pistol, but was overpowered by three men rushing 
suddenly upon and disarming him. His wife and 
daughters were constrained to make their escape, running 
nearly the whole of the way to Ely. The rioters then 
broke all the windows, and nearly demolished every thing 
in the house, burning all Mr. Vachell’s valuable papers 
and writings, and stamping his plate under their feet; 
they then proceeded to different shops in the town, and 
to the publicans’ cellars, &c. helping themselves to 
money and liquors, without any one daring to oppose 
them. Elated with their present success, they then got 
a waggon and team of horses; and proceeded to Ely, 
taking with them every gun and other deadly weapon 
they could find. On their arrival at that city, they were 
joined by some of its refractory inhabitants, and de¬ 
manded contributions from the houses and shops, besides 

' ' ' 1 ^4 v - ^ "A- 


400 


HISTORY OF 


extorting money from several persons, which was una¬ 
voidably assented to, and there was now every ap¬ 
pearance of the most serious consequences ; even threats 
w 7 ere thrown out of setting fire to the noble cathedral. 
The Littleport banditti, however, separated themselves, 
and returned to their own town, after liberating two of 
their confederates from prison, where they had been 
committed by the Ely magistrates. At length the riots 
were terminated, by the very spirited and active exertions 
of Sir Henry Bate Dudley, baronet, the Rev. Mr. Law, 
and the Rev. Mr. Metcalfe, the then acting magistrates, 
aided by a very respectable number of the gentlemen 
and inhabitants of Ely, and the Royston troop of volun¬ 
teer cavalry, who, with a small detachment of the first 
royal dragoons sent from Bury, proceeded in a body to 
Littleport ; a severe struggle now ensued between 
them and the rioters, who had secreted themselves in 
different houses, armed with guns, with which they fired 
many shots at the military and civil power; one of the 
soldiers was severely wounded, whereupon the military 
received orders “ to fire,” and the man who had 
wounded the soldier was instantly shot dead, and another 
fell. When this took place, the rioters were completely 
disconcerted, and fled in every direction, but by the 
activity of the military and civil power, no less than 
seventy-three of them were immediately taken prisoners. 
Among them were several persons of some property and 
apparent respectability in life. Fifty guns and nine or 
ten long fowling pieces were taken from the rioters. 
Special assizes were appointed to be held at Ely in the 
beginning of June following, when Mr. Justice Abbott 
and Mr. Justice Burrough were associated with Edward 
Christian, esq, the chief justice of the isle in the coni- 


WISBECH. 


401 


A. D. 

mission, more than seventy prisoners having been com¬ 
mitted for trial. The assizes lasted from the Monday 
until the following Saturday, when 

24 were condemned, of whom five were left for exe¬ 
cution and the sentence of the others mitigated. 

6 acquitted. 

10 were discharged by proclamation. 

36 were allowed to be set at liberty on producing bail 
for their good behaviour. 


76 Total. 

After this the district was restored to perfect tranquillity. 

1817 The whole kingdom was involved in one general scene 
of sorrow, by the death of the princess Charlotte of 
Wales, the presumptive heir to the crown of these realms, 
and of her royal infant, on the 6th November. One 
common sentiment of regret occupied the minds of all, 
on hearing the distressing intelligence, as though each 
had been told of the death of one of his own family. 
Thus two generations of the royal house of Brunswick 
were at once shrouded in the tomb, and the succession 
left contracted and indistinct. On the day of the in¬ 
terment of her royal highness and the infant, (19th 
November) divine service was performed in the church of 
Wisbech, and a sermon preached on the occasion by the 
Rev. William Hardwicke, the lecturer. The pulpit and 
reading desk were hung with black cloth, which continued 
for three months, and the shops in the town were all 
closed for the day. A general mourning was ordered 
for six weeks. 


/ 


402 HISTORY OF 

A.D. 

1818 In November of the following year, died queen Charlotte, 
the august consort of his majesty George III. The 
burst of national feeling and veneration, which was 
manifested by all at the death of “ our beloved princess,” 
did not in that degree display itself on this occasion. 
The funeral of her late majesty took place at Windsor 
on the 2d December following. The shops in Wisbech 
were partially shut; there was no sermon at the church ; 
the pulpit and reading desk were hung with black cloth, 
which continued six Sundays. General mourning was 
ordered for six weeks. 

1820 Our aged and excellent sovereign George III. expired 
at Windsor castle, at thirty-live minutes past eight o’clock 
on Saturday evening, 29th January: he was in the 
sixtieth year of his reign, which had extended to the 
unprecedented length of fifty-nine years, three months, 
and nine days. His majesty George IV. was immediately 
proclaimed. His late majesty’s funeral took place on 
the 16th February, and was observed here with every 
mark of becoming solemnity. The shops of tradesmen 
were all shut. Service, with a sermon, was performed 
at the church, and the pulpit and reading desk covered 
with black cloth. 

Proclamation of George IV. 

- On Wednesday the 9th February, the accession of 

his majesty George IV. was publicly proclaimed at 
Wisbech. The day was ushered in with ringing of bells. 
At one o’clock the gentlemen cf the town and neigh-r 
bourhood met at the sessions-house, and from thence 
proceeded on the South Brink to receive the deputy 
sheriff, in the following order of procession: 



WISBECH. 


403 


Two Trumpeters on Horseback. 

Chief Constable on Horseback, supported by 
Petty Constables on Foot. 

The Lieutenant-Colonel of the Local Militia, in Uniform, 

on Horseback. 

Officers of his Regiment on Foot, with 
Standards flying. 

Military Band. 

Sheriffs’ Officers and Corporation Beadles on Foot. 
Vicar of Wisbech, and Clergymen of the Town and 
Neighbourhood in order on Foot, in their Robes. 

The Magistrates and Deputy Lieutenants of the Town 

and Neighbourhood. 

The Capital Burgesses of the Corporation. 

Officers of the Navy resident in the Town and Neigh¬ 
bourhood on Horseback. 

Gentlemen of the Town and Neighbourhood on Horseback. 
Constables on Foot to line the whole. 

The procession first stopped at the sessions-house, 
where wine and cakes were distributed. The procla¬ 
mation was then read by the deputy sheriff in court, and 
afterwards, from the steps of the building, to the as¬ 
sembled populace. The procession next moved forward 
to the market-place, where the proclamation was again 
read, and after the cheering of the multitude had ceased, 

“ God save the King” was sung by about one hundred 
and fifty children of the national school; the procession 
then moved to the town-hall, the old market, the north 
brink, and returned to the Rose and Crown inn, where 
proclamation was made for the last time, when this part 
of the interesting ceremony concluded. The novelty 
of the occasion, and the fineness of the weather, at¬ 
tracted an immense number of spectators, and it was 

2 c 


404 

A.D. 


HISTORY OF 


calculated there could not be less than 14,000. The 
enjoyment of the day was heightened by the poor 
being made partakers of its festivities. Hot dinners 
were given to the inmates of the workhouse, to the 
children of the charity schools, and the prisoners in the 
gaol; and donations of upwards of seven hundred bushels 
of coals, and twelve hundred loaves of bread, provided 
by a public subscription of the inhabitants, were dis¬ 
tributed among the poor families of the town. Several 
barrels of ale were also given to the populace. At half 
past four upwards of fifty gentlemen sat down to an 
excellent dinner; Robert Hardwicke esq. town-bailiff, was 
in the chair, supported by lieutenant-colonel Watson as 
his vice-president, and William Rayner and H. J. Nicholls 
esqrs. as side-presidents. The evening was passed with 
the greatest conviviality, and the company separated, 
highly gratified with the transactions of a day so 
appropriate to the dignity and importance of the event, 
and with the order and decorum which so universally 
prevailed. 


Coronation of George IV. 

1821 On the day of the coronation of his present majesty, 
George IV. which was appointed for the 19th of July, a 
general disposition prevailed amongst the inhabitants to 
express their feeling of loyalty. It was determined to 
provide a public dinner in the market place for such 
inhabitants as might think proper to partake thereof, 
the details of which it is hoped will not be considered 
- too tedious. A subscription was entered into by the 
gentlemen and ladies of the town, to provide bread, beef, 
mutton, plum puddings, beer, &c. together with a band 
of music; also field sports to be exhibited. Stewards 


WISBECH. 


405 


and presidents were accordingly appointed. An appor¬ 
tionment of meat was provided at the rate of three 
quarters of a pound, and half a pound of pudding, for 
each person; and one ox, two heifers, and fourteen sheep 
were purchased; about 4400 penny loaves and thirty-one 
barrels of beer were provided. A band was formed, 
consisting of twenty-six musicians, who had an early 
dinner and a pint of ale provided for each. The fol¬ 
lowing regulations were printed. 

Wisbech St. Peter s.—Regulations for the Festival on 
Thursday the 19 th Day of July 1821, in celebration 
of the Coronation of His Most Excellent Majesty 
King George the Fourth. 

The church bells will ring at seven and eleven o’clock 
in the morning. At half-past twelve o’clock the bells 
will again ring, at which time precisely the inhabitants 
of the town are to assemble at the places specified in 
their respective tickets, viz. 

1st Division, For the Market-Place, Church Lane, Ship 
Lane and the adjoining alleys— Ship Lane. 

2d ditto, For the Horse Fair— Horse Fair. 

3d ditto, For the South Brink and Deadman’s Lane— 
Yorke Row. 

4th ditto, For the North Brink and the Old Market— 
Facing the Vine. 

5th ditto, For the Trafalgar Row and the Lynn Road— 
Sluice Bridge. 

6th ditto, For the south end of Timber Market and Elm 
Street beyond the Ferry Boat— Hill facing the 
Ferry Boat. 

7th ditto, For the north part of ditto between the Church¬ 
yard and Ferry Boat— Opening facing the Wheat Sheaf. 

2c 2 


406 


HISTORY OF 


They will there find ready to receive them, the pre¬ 
sidents and vice-presidents of their respective tables, 
who will head their own companies, and with as little 
delay as possible proceed to the Market-place. The 
president of the first table of each division will proceed 
first, the next table in rotation after him, and so on 
until all are occupied. There will be at the head of 
every table a pole, with a label upon it, corresponding 
with the ticket of the division, and the number of the 
table upon it. Each president will conduct his company 
to the proper table, where the carvers will be seated, 
and the company will take their seats in the intermediate 
spaces. The carvers are requested to be in their res¬ 
pective places by one o’clock precisely. 

It is presumed that, by attention to order, all may 
be seated by a quarter past one o’clock, at which time 
a trumpet will be sounded, when all the carvers will 
rise, and, with the assistants appointed by the presidents 
and vice-presidents, will proceed to the places mentioned 
in their tickets, and each bring one dish of pudding 
and meat to his own place. This being effected, a second 
trumpet will be sounded. Grace will then be said by 
the president of each table, and dinner begin directly. 
Dinner being over, the bugle will be sounded, when 
Grace after Meat will be said. The carvers will then 
rise, and, with the assistants, each carry two dishes from 
their table to the depots appointed, as follows: 

1st division, tables 1, 2, 3, 4,. 

2d ditto, tables 5, 6, 7, 8, . 

3d ditto, tables 9, 10, . 

4th ditto, tables 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 

16, 17, 18,. 



To the New Inn . 






WISBECH. 


407 


5th division, tables 19, 20, 21,. 

6th ditto, tables 22, 23, 24, 25,.... 
7th ditto, tables 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 


i 

s 


To So. 8, Market 


Street. 


31, 32, 


The carvers and assistants will return immediately, 
and the toasts will then be given in the following order, 
by signal of trumpet. 

1. His Majesty George the Fourth, with four times four. 
Band—“ God save the King.” 

2. The Duke of York and the Royal Family, with three 
times three. Band—“ Duke of York’s March.” 

3. The Army and Navy, with three times three. Band— 
“ Britons strike Home.” 

4. Prosperity to the Town and Trade of Wisbech, with 
three times three. Band—“ Wisbech Troop.” 

5. Duke of Wellington, with three times three. Band— 
“ See the Conquering Hero comes.” 

6. Old England for ever, with three times three. Band—• 
u Rule Britannia.” 

An interval of ten minutes will elapse between the 
toasts, which will be announced, on signal of trumpet, 
by the president and vice-president of every table. Having 
drunk the toast, all will rise, and on the second signal of 
trumpet, the whole company will cheer together. 

After the toasts are all drunk, two signals will then 
be sounded in succession, when all the women and 
children will retire. 


Upon a grand flourish of trumpets, the band playing 
“ God save the King,” the company will then move in 




408 


HISTORY OF 


procession to the held appointed for the rustic sports, 
under the direction of the presidents. It is requested 
that no person will rise from table during dinner, as 
beer will be supplied. 

No guns or pistols to be hred, nor will any squibs, 
serpents, or crackers be allowed to be let off on any 
account or pretence whatsoever, in the Market-place or 
streets of the town during any part of the evening. 

STEWARDS. 


The Town-Bailiff. 


The Rev. De. Jobson. 

John Edes, Esq. 

Robert Hardwicke, Esq. 

Henry James Nicholls, Esq. 

William Rayner, Esq. 

Captain Swaine, R.N. 

John Marshall, Esq. 

Richard Shepherd, Esq. 

Lieut. Col. Watson. 

Jonathan Peckover, Esq. 

PRESIDENTS. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

Rev. Jeremiah Jackson. 

Mr. Edward Jackson. 

' f V J l ' ’ ' > i 

R. J. King. 

Matthew Leach. 

T. P. Holmes. 

John Sculthorpe, jun. 

Mr. Richard Baxter. 

' f f ‘ ? i ') 

Henry Leach. 

John Dowson. 

( *.,. . } ; i j 

Enderby Laughton. 

Weatherhead. 

William Jump, jun. 

Robert Francis Pate. 

William Baxter. 

James Usill. 

Robert Marris. 

V ' 1 • > I s * ' ; J 

Abraham Usill. 

Harley M. Usill. 

William Stevens. 

• r 1 i 

Bartholomew Adams. 

Robert Ward. 

J. S. Richardson. 

Thomas Moore. 

William Moore. 

Thomas Stear. 

John Archbould. 

Henry Herring. 

G. Hewitt. 

C. Metcalfe, jun. 

Thomas Life, jun. 


WISBECH. 


409 


PRESIDENTS. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

John Wing. 

Mr. S. Goode. 

Robert Clarke. 

Thomas Matthews. 

John Chamberlin. 

Richard Freeman. 

John Chapman. 

Peter Beck. 

Thomas Hall. 

Thomas Hall, jun. 

Simon Hardy. 

George Life. 

William Squier. 

John Pope. 

Stuart. 

William Dow. 

Joseph Taylor. 

AVilliam Nixon. 

James Smith. 

Edward Squire. 

Charles Clarke. 

Henry Harvey. 

John Harber. 

Joseph Gronow. 

Gregory Wright. 

John Hill. 

Thomas Wraight, 

John Cripps. 


On the day of the coronation, the stewards met at the 
town-hall at half-past twelve; about one, they moved 
from thence to the market-hill, preceded by the town 
constables with staves, band of music, and the colours 
belonging to the Wisbech battalion of local militia. The 
tables were all ranged in regular order in the market¬ 
place. An elevated table was prepared for the stewards 
about the centre. The town-bailiff presided. More 
than 4300 persons, each having brought a plate, knife 
and fork, and dinner mug, seated themselves at the tables 
with more than 3000 surrounding spectators. On the 
first signal of the trumpet, the tables were loaded with 
beef, puddings, and vegetables; on the second, grace 
was said by the Rev. Dr. Jobson, vicar. The utmost 
good order prevailed. On grace being said after meat, 
the health of his most excellent majesty George the 
Fourth, was drunk with loud and four times repeated 
cheers. The other patriotic toasts followed in succession. 


410 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

each accompanied with appropriate tunes. After which, 
the stewards, escorted by the band, colours, drums, and 
fifes, conducted the company to the field appointed for 
rustic sports. The whole crowd seemed impressed with 
sensations which will long be cherished and remembered. 
The total expense amounted to £296. 19s. 8 d. 

1827 An act of parliament received the royal assent, for 
erecting and endowing a chapel of ease in the parish 
of Wisbech St, Peter’s. 

-Another act received the like assent, for improving the 

outfall of the river Nene, and the drainage of the lands 
discharging their waters into the Wisbech river, and the 
navigation of the said Wisbech river, from the upper 
end of Kinderley’s cut to the sea. 

We close the account of these occurrences with a list 
of the aldermen of the guild, and of the town-bailiffs 
of Wisbech. 



WISBECH. 


411 


/ 


The Names of such of the Aldermen of the Guild of the 
Holy Trinity in Wisbech, from its Foundation, 2d Richard 
II., 1379, to its Dissolution, 29 th Henry VIII., 1540 ; 
and of such of the Town-Bailiffs as are noticed in the 
Records, from the Incorporation of the Town, in the third 
Year of the Reign of King Edward VI. 


Aldermen of the Guild of the Holy Trinity. 


The records commence 2d 
Richard II. a.d. 1379. 

The accountant's expenses 
in respect to the guild are the 
first transactions stated, after 
which there is a lapse of forty- 
four years, until 

2d HENRY YI. 

A.D. 

John Lambe, alderman 1423 

The like.1424 

The like .1425 

The like.1427 

The like .1429 

The like .1430 


A.D. 

John Lambe, alderman 1431 
Nicholas Outclark .. 1432 

-Sutton .... 1436 

The like .1442 

The like .1443 


John Masse .1445 

The like .1452 

The like.1458 

The like .1459 


The like .1460 

EDWARD IY. 


John Masse ... 


The like .... 

.... 1462 

The like . 













412 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

John Masse, alderman 1464 

The like .1465 

The like .1466 

The like .1467 

William Calowe, esq. 1468 

The like ...1469 

The like .1470 

The like .1471 

The like .1472 

The like .1473 

The like .1474 

Martin Andrew, in ab- ^ 
sence of W. Calowe £^75 
William Calowe, esq. 1476 

The like .1477 

The like .. .. 1478 

Robert Dygby. 1479 

The like .1480 

The like .1481 

The like .1482 

EDWARD V. 


Robert Dygby ...... 1483 

RICHARD III. 

Robert Dygby . 1484 

HENRY VII. 

Robert Dygby . 1485 

The like .1486 


The like .1487 


A.n. 

Robert Dygby, alderman 1488 

The like .1489 

John Burwell .. .. 1494 

The like .1495 

Robert Tooke .. .. 1496 

John Burwell . 1502 

William Gatesend .. 1503 

The like .1504 

The like .1505 

Dr.RichardWyatt,vicar 1506 

The like .1507 

The like .1508 

t 

HENRY VIII. 

Dr. Richard Wyatt .. 1509 

The like .1510 

The like .1511 

Nicholas Style .... 1512 

The like.1513 

The like .1514 

William Ladd . 1515 

The like.1516 

Thomas Wythe, gent. 1517 

The like. 1518 

The like .1519 

The like .1520 

Richard Rede .... 1521 

The like .1522 

The like.1523 

Alexander Balam .. 1524 

The like . 1525 

Lawrence Daniel .. 1526 
The like .1527 













WISBECH. 


413 


Alexander Balam 

A. D. 

.. 1531 

The like .... 

.... 1532 

The like .. 

.... 1533 

The like .... 

.... 1534 

The like .... 

.... 1535 

The like . 

.. 1535 

The like .... 

.... 1537 

The like 

.... 1538 

The like .... 

.... 1539 


power to elect, on every 1st of 
November, ten of the more 
honest and more discrete in¬ 
habitants, “ maintaining a 
“ family,” to have the care of 
the several affairs of the town, 
&c. And by such charter 
the following ten men were 
nominated in 1550, viz. 


The act of parliament 
for dissolution of mon¬ 
asteries, passed in .. 1540 

EDWARD VI. 

John Procter, alderman 1547 

His majesty, in the third 
year of his reign, granted a 
charter of incorporation, with 


Henry Goodrich, esq. 
Richard Everard, esq. 
John Sutton 
Nicholas Fordhanx 
John Procter 
Thomas Crosse 
William Beste 
William Perte 
Robert Scorterede 
Thomas Bocher 


Town-Bailiffs. 


ELIZABETH. 

A. D. 

Richard Best, gent. .. 1564 


Thomas Crosse .... 1565 

The like.1566 

Robert Cooper .... 1577 
John Williamson .. 1578 
Thomas Pierson .... 1585 

The like .. 1586 

John Ladd . 1587 


A.n. 

John Ladd.1588 

The like.1591 

William Sturmyn .. 1594 

James Saylebank .... 1596 
Robert Tipping .. 1597 
JamesSaylebank,2d time 1598 
William Wilkes .... 1599 
Thomas Crosse .... 1600 
Robert Tipping, 2d time 1601 

Thomas Crosse. 1602 












414 


HISTORY OF 


JAMES I. 

A.T). 

Nicholas Sandford, gent. 1603 
Thomas Crosse .... 1604 

Thomas Pigge . 1605 

William Edwards .. 1606 
Matthias Taylor, esq. 1607 
John Sandford, gent. 1608 

John Warner . 1609 

Thomas Crosse, 6th time 1610 

The king, in the eighth 
year of his reign, granted his 
letters patent, for incorpo¬ 
rating the inhabitants; under 
which charter the first town- 
bailiff appointed was 

A.D. 

Anthony Fisher, gent. 1611 
Thomas Pigge ...... 1612 

Thomas Edwards .. 1613 
Thomas Parke, esq. .. 1614 
Thomas Pearson, gent. 1615 
John Marshall .... 1616 

Thomas Procter .. 1617 
Thomas Williams .. 1618 

The like .1619 

The like .. 1620 

The like . 1621 

William Twells .... 1622 
Thomas Williams .. 1623 
The like, 6th time .. 1624 


CHARLES I. 

A.D. 

EdwardBuckworth,esq.l 625 
N icholas Sandford,gent. 1626 
Matthias Taylor, esq. # 

2d time.1627 

Thomas Girling, gent. 1628 
The like .1629 


Anthony Fisher .. 1630 

Arthur Taylor . 1631 

James Whvnnall .. 1632 


Thomas Pigge, 3d time 1633 

John Day .1634 

Thomas Swaine, Edward 
Crosse remainder of 

the year .1635 

John Wilson, gent. .. 1636 
Edward Crosse .... 1637 
William Edwards, jun. 1638 
Matthias Taylor, Tho¬ 
mas Pigge remainder 

of the year . ] 639 

Robert Edwards .... 1640 
Thomas Pierson .... 1641 
Everard Buckworth,esq.l642 
Nicholas Sandford .. 1643 
John Daniel .. .. 1644 

William Fisher, esq. 1645 
Henry Ferrour, gent, 1646 
John Marshall .. .. 1647 
Nich. Sandford, 3d time 1648 
William Edwards, sen. 1649 


* See page 259. 










WISBECH. 


415 


COMMONWEALTH. 

A. D. 

John Wilson, gent. .. 1650 


The like .1651 

The like .1652 


The like .1653 

Anthony Balam .... 1654 
Robert Twells .. .. 1655 

John Wilson, 6th time 1656 
William Fisher, esq. .. 1657 
James Edwards, gent. 1658* 
The like .1659 

CHARLES II. 

William Walsham, gent. 1660 
Robert Stevens .... 1661 
John Wilson, 7th time, 
Nicholas Sandford re¬ 
mainder of the year.. 1662 


James Edwards. 1663 

The like .1664 


The like, 5th time .. 1665 
A nth. Buck worth, esq. 1666 
John Neale, gent. .. 1667 
The like, 2d time .. 1668 

This king renewed the town 
charter, whereby the ten men 
were to be called 11 Capital 
“Burgesses,’’and to be elected 
every 2d November, under 
which last charter the first 
town-bailiff elected was 


A.D. 

John Marshall, gent. 1669 
Thomas Edwards, esq. 1670 
Robert Vaughan, gent. 1671 
James Whinnel .... 1672 

John Coxen . 1673 

The like and John Neavel674 
Richard Harrison .... 1675 
Thomas Planner .... 1676 
John Marshall, 4th time 1677 

Simon Loake . 1678 

James Whinnel .... 1679 
The like, 4th time .. 1680 
Philip Easinghurst .. 1681 


John Bellamy . 1682 

Jonas Brown . 1683 


Daniel Walker .... 1684 
JAMES II. 

William Fox, gent. .. 1685 


Oliver Brown . 1686 

Henry Medow . 1687 


WILLIAM and MARY. 

William Fox, 2d time 1688 
Henry Laughton .... 1689 
William Tunnard . . . 1690 
James Marshall, sen. 1691 
William Allen, gent. 1692 
Richard Loake .... 1693 
John Twells, esq. .. 1694 
John Barker, gent. .. 1695 
Joseph Taylor . 1696 


* The annual elections of 1658, 1659, and 1660, were held under the authority 
of letters patent granted by the Protector Oliver. 














416 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

Robert Gynn . 1697 

James Whinnel, jun. 1698 
The like, 2d time .. 1699 
Edward Bellamy, esq. 1700 
Richard Loake, 2d time, 
on his decease Joseph 
Taylor, 2d time ... 1701 

ANNE. • 

Thomas Cock, gent. 1702 
Richard Bladwick . . 1703 

Robert Twells . 1704 

Lawrence Banyer ... 1705 
Nathaniel Kinderlev . . 1706 

Richard Loake. 1707 

William Stevens .... 1708 
John Kelsall, esq. . . 1709 
Rev. John Bellamy, elk. 1710 
John Middleton, gent. 1711 
Edward Crosse .... 1712 
Henry Longstae .... 1713 

GEORGE I. 

A nth. Lumpkin, gent. 1714 

Samuel Vine .1715 

John Marshall, jun. esq. 1716 
Rev. T. Cole, elk. vicar 1717 
Anthony Lumpkin ... 1718 
John Horncastle .... 1719 
James Anthony .... 1720 

Thomas Spire . 1721 

Richard Taylor, esq... 1722 



A.D. 

John Cuthbert, gent. 

1723 

Thomas Towers .... 

1724 

Henry Bull, D.D. vicar 

1725 

Edward Southwell, esq. 

1726 

GEORGE II. 


Henry Southwell, gent. 

1727 

James Lowry . 

1728 

Jacob Norris .... 

1729 

Charles Vavazor 

1730 

James Anthony, esq... 

1731 

Richard Taylor, gent. 

1732 

Robert Hemus .... 

1733 

John Thompson 

1734 

Thomas Marlow .... 

1735 

William Flanner 

1736 

Robert Gynn . 

1737 

Samuel Massey .... 

1738 

Isaac Young . 

1739 

Thomas Woods .... 

1740 

John Bellamy ...... 

1741 

Edmund Cobb, esq. . . 

1742 

Edward Southwell, esq. 

1743 

W411iamEzekielFlanner 

> 

•• •••••• 

1744 

Charles Browne .... 

1745 

Robert Wensley 

1746 

William Lon^ .... 

1747 

Joseph Barwick 

1748 

Edward Southwell,esq. 


3d time . 

1749 

Rev. Henry Burroughs, 


clerk, vicar .... 

1750 













WISBECH. 


417 


A.D. 

John Garland, gent. .. 1751 

David Waite . 1752 

Robert Wensley,2d time 1753 
Thomas Berrier .... 1754 
Henry Southwell, esq. 

2d time .. .... 1755 

Samuel Massey, M.D. 

2d time . 1756 

Isaac Young, gent. .. 1757 

John Bellamy . 1758 

Jeremiah Hancock .. 1759 

GEORGE III. 

William Marshall, gent. 1760 
Sir Philip Vavazor,knt. 1761 
Edward W armoll, gent. 1762 
Hugh Maplesden .. 1763 
John Southwell, esq... 1764 
John Thompson, gent. 

2d time.1765 

George Swaine .... 1766 
The like .. ..1767 

Thomas Chapman .. 1768 
Robert Colville, esq. 1769 
Sir Philip Vavazor, knt. 

2d time .. .... 1770 

John Waite, gent. .. 1771 
Henry Burroughs, LL.D 

2d time . 1772 

Wm. Skrimshire, gent. 1773 
Joseph Hancock .. 1774 
John Warren, D.D. vicarl775 
Richard Colville, esq. 1776 


A.D. 

John Mayer, gent. .. 1777 
Thomas Fawssett .... 1778 

Robert Kilby . 1779 

Thomas Newman .. 1780 
William Skrimshire .. 1781 
The like .. .... 1782 

Robert Stevens .. 1783 
James Bellamy .... 1784 
William Smalley .. 1785 
Rev. T. Sheepshanks, 

A.M.1786 

MannHutcheson,F.S.A.1787 
Robert Hardwicke, esq. 1788 
William Rayner .... 1789 
Hon. and Rev. Charles 


Lindsay, A.M. vicar 1790 
John Mayer, gent. 2d 

time .. 1791 

Josiah King Life .. 1792 

John Edes, esq.1793 

Robert Kilby, gent. 1794 

William Clark . 1795 


Rev. Caesar Morgan, 

D.D. vicar .... 1796 
Rev. Wm. Walker .. 1797 
John Swansborough.. 1798 
Abraham Hardy, gent. 1799 
William Skrimshire, esq. 

4th time .1800 

Charles Laughton, gent. 1801 
Hugh Jackson, jun. .. 1802 
Charles Metcalfe .. 1803 
William Watson, esq. 1804 
James Watson, gent. 1805 










418 


HISTORY OF 


A.D, 

James Bellamy, 2d time 1806 
Robert Hard wicke, esq. 1807 
Steed Girdlestone, gent. 1808 
Joseph Medworth .. 1809 
William Jump .... 1810 
Rev. Abraham Jobson, 

D.D. vicar . 1811 

William Rayner, esq, 

2d time .. ..1812 

Rev. Jeremiah Jackson, 

clerk, A.M.1813 

John Edes, esq. 2d time 1814 
Hugh Jackson, jun. 2d 

time .. 1815 

Ralph Archbould, gent. 1816 


A.D. 

Edmund Ward .. 1817 
H. J. Nicholls, esq. .. 1818 

GEORGE IV. 

Robert Hardwicke, esq. 

3d time .. .. 1819 

W. Swansborough,gent. 1820 
W. Watson, esq. F.S. A. 1821 
The like, 3d time .. 1822 
Steed Girdlestone, esq. 

2d time .1823 

J. R. W eatherhead, gent. 1824 
James Usill, esq. . . 1825 
William Orton, esq. .. 1826 




WISBECH, 


419 


AGRICULTURE. 


The soil of this district is various, but principally 
composed of vegetable matter, and in some parts of a 
clayey texture, being mixed with the alluvia of the 
upland waters. 

All the division of low lands under the denomi¬ 
nation of Marsh used to be applied to grazing. The 
pasture land is exceedingly rich, carrying great quantities 
of feeding stock. The best lands lie mostly near to the 
towns: the soil of these has very much the appearance 
of the rich loams of the inland districts, or such as is 
found about the sites of monastic ruins, or old manor 
houses. The superior fertility of the rich grazing lands 
over the poor does not probably altogether arise from 
the circumstance of their being higher, or from any 
original strength of soil, but rather from the great facility 
of obtaining manure from the neighbouring towns, and 
from their long and early state of cultivation. Grazing 
is the most natural application of these lands, and as 
live cattle and wqol can be procured in greater abun¬ 
dance, and consequently cheaper, than in other parts of 
the kingdom, the cultivators of them were naturally led 
to employ them in feeding the stock bred in less fertile 
districts. The land of this description most probably 
continued in this state for centuries, and so was brought 

2 n 


420 


HISTORY OF 


down to our times in the close of the last century; but 
of late years, the “ greedy plough” has “ preyed on its 
u carpet.” The growing inadequacy of the old arable 
lands to supply our manufacturing population with bread, 
as well as to furnish the increasing number of horses with 
oats, occasioned great advances in the price of corn, 
which, with the very high price of mustard seed * 
during the revolutionary war, operated as a great tempt¬ 
ation to break up fresh land of any description, wherever 
it could be found. Although the stronger and better 
kind of fen and marsh lands, subjected to the plough, 
has not been so considerably injured as to render them 
incapable of producing good wheat, yet under the steady 
and ordinary course of rural affairs, when the prices of 
grain bear a fair proportion to those of cattle, sheep, 
and wool, these lands would always be most profitable, 
used for grazing, could they be restored to grass of 
their original quality. Notwithstanding a great deal too 
much of the second-rate lands of the level has been 
sacrificed to the plough, yet large quantities of the 
best remain untouched, and it is still, for extent and 
richness, one of the first grazing districts in the kingdom. 
In the months of May and June, the rich pastures are 
so beautifully verdant, and the sheep so thickly studded 
over the best grazing parts of the level, that they pro¬ 
duce a very pleasing sight, and to strangers, new and 


* There is an instance of a person in this neighbourhood purchasing 
three or four acres of ground, which he sowed with mustard seed, and in- 
the first year cleared the fee simple of the land from the produce thereof. 
£ 80. per acre has been frequently given for land, which has been broken 
up for such purpose. This seed is of a very hot nature, and contains a 
quantity of oil, so that it will lie buried and be uncorrupted for many years, 
and if cast into the ditches, it will, when re-exposed by their being cleaned 
out, grow again and flourish well. 


WISBECH. 


421 


interesting. The good marsh land is particularly famous 
for the production of long wool, and has the effect of 
increasing the fleece, both in weight and length of staple, 
in sheep brought from other quarters. 

Quicks, where planted, thrive exceedingly well, but 
in fen farms, the fences consist of ditches, which, to 
be kept in a good state, ought to be cleaned out at 
least once in every five or six years. 

The Sheep both bred and grazed are of pure long 
Wool, or Lincoln; but the new Leicester, or a cross 
between the two breeds, are now much encouraged, 
which cross is found to give a finer wool and a greater 
inclination in the animal to fatten. Three-years-old 
wethers of this description average when fattened, from 
twenty to twenty-eight lbs. per quarter ; the fleece eight 
to ten lbs. The pure Leicester are not at this time in 
so great request, being of a more delicate constitution. 
The general proportions allowed for the highland pastures 
during the summer months are six head of sheep per 
acre, and during winter, two per acre. 

Horses are used for the purpose of husbandry, and are 
of' the large black cart breed, and not so heavy as 
formerly. The breed of the famous short-legged trotting 
hackney, formerly held in such high repute, and than 
which no part of the kingdom produced superior, has 
been much neglected of late years, and is superseded 
by the introduction of a cross with the thorough-bred 
horse, which is now coming into general use. 

Neat Stock .—It is with pleasure we observe that the 
improved short-horn, as well as the Hereford, are very 
generally to be seen in the neighbourhood. 

2 r> 2 


422 


HISTORY OF 


Pigs. —Great emulation has been shewn in the breed 
of swine; the cross between the Chinese and Suffolk, 
with the occasional mixture of the Neapolitan, is rec¬ 
koned the best. 

Ti y ees .-^~Altogether an inconsiderable quantity of wood 
is grown in this district, but the ash and elm thrive well r 
and we need not add that useful tree around a farm, the 
willow, which, according to the old saying, “ will buy a 
“ horse before an oak will buy a saddle.” Willow trees 
grow to a very large size; one measuring in length 
upwards of sixty feet, and containing two hundred feet 
of solid timber, was cut down in Burwash, in Sussex, 
in 1819, which had been planted fifteen years. From 
the quantity of willows about Ely, the inhabitants reap 
considerable profit by making baskets, &c. 

t 

Manure is made principally from the straw yards, by 
the straw stubble and hay in the yards and hovels. 
The hay and straw produce being generally consumed 
on the farms where grown, very little attention is paid 
to the making of dunghills, compared with what is ob¬ 
served in high countries, where the land, being of a 
poorer quality, requires every assistance of this kind to 
recruit its exhausted strength. The use of lime as a 
manure is unknown here ; very little artificial manure is 
wanted, but occasionally, soot and bone dust are used, 
and a mill is erected in Wisbech for grinding bones, to 
be disposed of for that purpose. 

The salt marshes are remarkably favourable for the 
growth of corn, but require artificial manure ; nor is 
there at this time any apprehension of the luxuriant 
produce being destroyed by floods. 


WISBECH. 


423 


Hemp and Flax are cultivated on the best lands, and 
to a considerable extent in Upwell, Welney, Outwell, 
Elm, and Wisbech. The culture of hemp is regarded 
in a more favourable light than formerly, and so far 
from being an exhausting crop, its occasional introduction 
forms part of a system of perpetual cropping, and is 
proved by experience to be an excellent preparation for 
a crop of wheat. Flax is cultivated by way of change 
upon the same, but more commonly upon fresh lands 
newly broken up. There is a prodigiously fine tract of 
land about Outwell, which produces flax, as well as 
onions, in great perfection and abundance* 

Beans .—The Heligoland are now superseded by the 
growth of the Old Tick ; the latter giving a much 
larger produce, and coming earlier to maturity. 

Coleseed was until these few years subject to a duty 
of £ 10. per last upon importation, which gave some 
encouragement to its growth in this kingdom, and par¬ 
ticularly in this district, for as it arrives at an early 
maturity, the small farmer can reap this crop and convert 
it into money, and with the produce be enabled to meet, 
with much more convenience to himself, the expenses 
of getting in the approaching wheat harvest. This seed 
being now imported duty free, the price is become so 
reduced, that there is not that excitement to cultivate 
it. It appears that this seed was introduced into this 
district between 150 and 200 years since the price is 
now about £23. per last. 

Woad .—Partial spots in this district are purchased at 
high prices per acre for the growth of this hub, which 


* See page 385, a. d. 1675. 


424 


HISTORY OF 


is used for dyeing; none but the best lands will produce 
it of sufficient quality for manufacture. 

Saffron used to be grown in large quantities, parti¬ 
cularly about Outwcll. 

Mode of Management and Occupation. 

The usual rent of farms is from £ 50. to £ 600. per 
annum. Drill husbandry is generally in practice, by 
which the lands arc more easily kept clear from weeds. 
The general mode of management of the arable land 
upon the well drained parts of the district is as follows: 

1st year, Coleseed, fed off with sheep. 

2d year, Crop of oats. 

3d year, Crop of wheat with seeds. 

Or, two white crops and a green fallow. 

In the Fen Lands. —1st year, Plough up and burn, sow 
with coleseed, and eat off with sheep ; sometimes the 
seed afterwards stands for a crop, and then it is suc¬ 
ceeded by wheat, but on no occasion to have more 
than three crops before the land be again laid down. 

2d year, Oats. 

3d year, Wheat, if the land is of sufficiently good 
quality, and safe from inundation. 

4th year, Sown with barley, and laid down with seeds 
for grass for three or four years. 

So that about two third parts of a farm always con¬ 
tinue in grass and coleseed, and the remainder under 
plough. The double-hale Yorkshire plough is preferred 
for the strong clay soils, with two horses abreast. The 


WISBECH. 


425 


toughness of the fen sward will not suffer it to decay 

unless burnt. The fen lands are liable at all times to the 

•« 

insect called the wircworm, but particularly so in cold, 
dry, spring seasons, when they are known to destroy a 
whole crop :—such is the uncertainty between fen land 
and high land. It is justly due to the farmers, to state 
that they are a very active and industrious set of men, 
and entitled to great praise for their assiduity, skill, 
and good management of their farms. 

Produce .—Wheat from three to four quarters per acre. 
Oats are a particularly abundant produce, being fre¬ 
quently from twelve to twenty coombs per acre, a con¬ 
siderable quantity of which is exported to the London 
markets. Thrashing machines are introduced into use ; 
the first of this kind was set up by Messrs. Edes and 
Nicholls in 1796. 

Reaping .—The price of wheat is from 10$. 11$. to 
even 14$. per acre, according to abundance, and supply 
of strangers as labourers ; oats from 10$. to 12$. if not 
mown. 

Potatoes are grown in great plenty, and may generally 
be procured at from two to three guineas per last. 

Prices of Labour at this period (1827), 10$. to 12$. 
per week in winter, and in summer and in harvest from 
15$. to 20$. 

Value of Land to Farm around Wisbech is generally 
from 30$. to 35$. per acre; even as high for superior 


426 


HISTORY OF 


land as £2. 10s. per acre. Fen land is as low as 10s. but 
heavy expenses attend the management of the latter. 

The quantity of land in the parish of Wisbech Saint 
Peter’s is 6308 a. 1r. 2p. according to Turpin’s survey 
made in the year 1789. 


By an account founded on an actual enumeration 
of the different kinds of stock kept in the year 1807, 
and submitted to the public by Dr. Jobson, it appears 
there were at that time 

Wisbech Wisbech . r . , 




St. Peter’s. 

St. Mary’s. 

total. 

Sheep . 



6473 

8587 

15060 

Lambs. 



1720 

2916 

4636 

Cows .. 



273 

261 

534 

One-year-old Beast and 

Heifers 

144 

268 

412 

Two-years-old Beast _ 



103 

283 

386 

Three-years-old ditto 



166 

236 

402 

Ditto upwards of three 

years 

old 

60 

126 

186 

One-year-old Horses 



50 

130 

180 

Two-years-old ditto, exclusive 
Horses kept for the saddle 

° f ? 

• s 

41 

134 

175 


The number of sheep is now greater, and other stock 
in proportion. The two parishes, including the washes 
above Guyhirn, banks, and wastes, contain 15,800 
acres; of this number, a little more than one half, 
on the average, is under the plough, and the rest are 
depastured. It is presumed, that the above account 
of stock will enable those who are conversant in such 
matters, to form a due estimate of the fertility of soil 
and pasturage. 








WISBECH. 



The neighbourhood of Ely is particularly favourable 
to the production of garden vegetables and rare plants.* 

Wealth, we know, is what constitutes the well-being 
of a country, and it may with great truth be said, that 
the wealth and strength of Great Britain originates in the 
cultivation of the soil, and must always be dependant 
on that cultivation, whatever other advantages the 
country may possess; for agriculture is the basis on 
which the health an$ strength of the state rests : how¬ 
ever profitable commerce and manufactures may be, the 
agricultural interest is the most valuable and the soundest 
interest in this country, and ought therefore to be pro¬ 
tected and encouraged before all others. 


* For the account of the agriculture of the district, the compiler begs to 
make his acknowledgments to H. J. Nicholls, esq. of Wisbech, one of the 
conservators of the honourable corporation of Bedford level, whose scientific 
and practical knowledge in agricultural affairs is well known, and who has 
been deputed to attend committees of the house of commons on this subject, 
besides being a zealous promoter of all public measures for the improvement 
of the country. 


428 


HISTORY OF 


BIOGRAPHY OF WISBECH 

AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 


There is a satisfaction in discovering that the place 
in which we have been many years resident has, in 
days long past, given birth to some who have been 
eminent in their age for literature or the arts, and this 
is more especially the case, if, in the vicissitude of taste 
and the progress of improvement, obscurity may have 
stolen over their memory and name: distinguished cha¬ 
racters, indeed, demand the tribute of remembrance. It 
is with a feeling of this sort, we wish to record what 
can be collected of the biography of persons of any 
memorable distinction, among the natives or inhabitants 
of the town and neighbourhood. 

a.d. John de Wisbeche, one of the monks* of the 

1340. church of Ely, is with commendation recorded to have 
had the oversight of the lady chapel at Ely, on the 
north side of the cathedral, whilst that noble edifice was 
building, in the time of bishop Montacute. 

* The difference between a monk and a friar is this : tlxe first is one of 
those belonging to a monastery endowed with lands for its support; but a 
friar is one whose monastery had rarely any more land or estate than the 
bare situation of the house and garden, and who lived by the daily alms of 
the people in the neighbourhood. 



WISBECH. 


429 


Another John be Wisbeche was first prior of a.d. 
Frieston, near Boston, in the county of Lincoln, and 1469. 
afterwards elected abbot of Croyland, upon the death 
of abbot Lyttleington, 13th February 1469. He made 
several improvements in the buildings belonging to 
Croyland abbey, and completed the state apartment; he 
also built the infirmary and great granary at Croyland, 
and did much towards completing and beautifying the 
abbey. He gave a house to the chamberlain to pay 
four shillings on Christmas-day annually, quatenus ad re- 
parationem conventus in eorum munitionibus.* Amongst 
other things, he obtained from the pope a bull to allow 
the eating of meat in Lent: he died the 14th November 
1476. After his time, nothing more than necessary 
repairs was done to the abbey. Its dissolution took 
place in 1539. 

Richard Herlock, born at Wisbech, is said to 1552. 
have been well educated : he wrote a book called “ The 
“ English A B C,” and dedicated the same to Thomas 
Goodericke, bishop of Ely and chancellor of England. 

Some thought him indiscreet in presenting so low a 
subject to so high a person, as if he would teach the 
greatest statesman in the land to spell aright; others 
excuse him, saying, though his book was of low title, 
yet it was of general use to the lower people, who then 
began to betake themselves to reading, which had been 
long neglected in this kingdom, so that many who had 
one foot in the grave had their hand on the primer. 

The book, however, is said to have treated on the 
ground of religion. 

* Gough’s Croyland. Nobody in Peterborough abbey could be let blood, 
(accipere munitionem) an operation so necessary to sedentary people 
subject to repletion, without an order from the prior, who let some of them 
have it often, some more rarely. 


430 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. Richard Atkins, of Outwell, who lived about this 

1603. period, was such an eminent commissioner of sewers, 
that his manuscripts have constantly been allowed as 
evidence. He was a man of great learning and expe¬ 
rience, and, as Sir William Dugdale says, a notable 
observer of the fens, having written several valuable 
manuscripts on that subject. He was consulted by all 
the engineers and surveyors of the works of sewers in 
his time. 

1616. John Tiiurloe, esq. son of the Rev. Thomas Thurloe, 
though not a native of Wisbech, spent a great portion 
of his time in his residence at the castle there, and was 
a liberal benefactor to the town ; he was educated for 
the law, and in 1645, was secretary to the parliamentary 
commissioners at the treaty of Uxbridge. Though con¬ 
nected with the republican leaders, and favouring the 
cause of the commonwealth, he was not accessary to 
the king’s death. In 1650, he was chosen one of the 
company of undertakers for draining the Bedford level 
before mentioned.* Upon Oliver Cromwell’s obtaining 
the protectorate, he was made secretary of state,, in 
which employment he was continued by Richard, his 
successor, over whom he had great influence. In 1658, 
he was chosen to serve as representative for the town 
of Wisbech, but he made his election to serve for Cam¬ 
bridge, for which place also he had been returned. At the 
restoration, though he had made a tender of his services 
to the king before that event absolutely took place, he 
was accused of high treason, but soon set at liberty; 
he died suddenly in Lincolnshire, in 1668, aged 51. 
He was married thrice, first into the family of Peyton. 
In his character, he is said to have been very amiable, 


* See page 44. 


WISBECH. 


431 


and remarkable for his courtesy and mildness to persons 
of all parties. His state papers, in seven volumes, 
folio, deposited in the Bodleian library at Oxford, are 
valuable. 

Sir Edward Peyton, baronet, was the author of a a.d. 
book called “ The Divine Catastrophe of the Kingly 1652. 
“ Family of the House of Stuarts.” The title-page is 
sufficient to show in what spirit the book was written. 

Sir Edward seems to have been an enthusiast of the 
fifth monarchy sort. See Woods’ Ath. Oxon. vol. ii., 
page 156. Among the Harleian MSS. in the British 
museum, is a volume which contains some anecdotes of 
the same Sir Edward Peyton. Hark MSS. No. 6395. 

Thomas Herring, archbishop of Canterbury, the 1716. 
son of the Rev. John Herring, rector of Walsoken, was 
educated at Wisbech school; he was elected fellow of 
Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, in 1716, and became 
tutor there. In 1722, he was made chaplain to Fleet- 
wood, bishop of Ely, and four years after chosen preacher 
at Lincoln’s inn, about which time he took his degree 
of D.D. In 1731, he was made dean of Rochester; 
in 1737, bishop of Bangor, and in 1743, translated to 
York. At the breaking out of the rebellion in 1745, the 
archbishop exerted himself most actively to rouse the 
people to a sense of their duty, and upon this occasion 
made his eloquent appeal at York to the volunteers,* 


* This animated speech of the archbishop is scarce to be met with ; it 
was originally introduced by a print, at the top, of the archbishop in his 
robes, engraved by Baron, from a painting by the celebrated Hogarth, ft 
has never appeared in any authentic history, but the compiler is afforded 
the opportunity of presenting it to the public through the kindness of 
Ids valued friend, the Rev. Dr. Sutton, of Norwich. 


432 


HISTORY OF 


which is most worthy of being recorded, not only on 
account of its spirit, but its peculiar application, in one 
respect, at the present crisis, and was in the following, 
words: 

“ My Lords, Gentlemen, my Reverend 
Brethren of the Clergy, 

“ I am desired by the lords lieutenants of the several 
ridings, to open to you the reasons of our present as¬ 
sembling ; and as the advertisement which has called 
us together is in every body’s hands, and the fact now 
speaks itself too plainly, a few words will be sufficient 
on the occasion. It was some time before it was believed, 
(I would to God it had gained credit sooner) but now 
every child knows it, that the Pretender’s son is in 
Scotland; has set up his standard there; has gathered 
and disciplined an army of great force; receives daily 
increase of numbers; is in possession of the capital city 
there; has defeated a small part of the king’s forces, 
and is advancing w 7 ith hasty steps towards England. 
What will be the issue of this rapid progress, must be 
left to the providence of God. However, what is incum¬ 
bent upon us to do, is to make the best provision we can 
against it; and every gentleman, I dare say, every man 
in England, will think it his wisdom and his interest 
to guard against the mischievous attempts of these wild 
and desperate ruffians. 

“ But the great mischief to be feared, which ought 
to alarm us exceedingly, and put us immediately on our 
defence, is the certain evidence which every day opens 
more and more, that those commotions in the north are 
but part of a great plan concerted for our ruin. They 
have began under the countenance, and will be supported 
by the forces of France and Spain, our old and inveterate 


WISBECH. 


433 


and (late experience calls upon me to add) our savage 
and blood-thirsty enemies ; a circumstance that should 
fire the indignation of every honest Englishman. If these 
designs should succeed, and popery and arbitrary power 
come in upon us, under the influence and direction of 
these two tyrannical and corrupted courts, I leave you 
to reflect what would become of every thing valuable to 
us ! We are now blest with the mild administration of 
a just and protestant king, who is of so strict an adhe¬ 
rence to the laws of our country, that not an instance 
can be pointed out during his whole reign, wherein he 
made the least attempt upon the liberty, or property, or 
religion of a single person. But if the ambition and 
pride of France and Spain are to dictate to us, we must 
submit to a man to govern us under their hated and 
accursed influence, who brings his religion from Rome, 
and the rules and maxims of his government from Paris 
and Madrid : for God’s sake, gentlemen, let us consider 
this matter as becomes us, and let no time be lost to 
guard against this prodigious ruin. To your immortal 
honour be it spoken, you have considered it, and are 
now met together to call in the unanimous consent and 
assistance of this great county. This county, as it ex¬ 
ceeds every other for its extent and riches, so it very 
naturally takes the lead of the inferior ones. And it 
will be extremely to our credit; give courage to the 
friends of the best constitution in the world; damp the 
spirit of its enemies at home, (if any such can be per¬ 
ceived in Britain at this dangerous crisis) and be an 
instruction to those abroad, that there is still spirit and 
honesty enough among us to stand up in defence of our 
common country. This will be the use of an unanimous 
and hearty declaration of fidelity to our country, and 
loyalty to our king. But the times, gentlemen, call for 
something more than this ; something must be done as 


434 


HISTORY OF 


well as said ; and the fund for our defence already begun, 
and now to be proposed to this great assembly, will, it is 
hoped, from reasons of publick example and publick 
safety, meet with the hearty concurrence of every indi¬ 
vidual that composes it. And at the same time that your 
hearts go along with the association, your hands will 
be open to support the necessary measures of self de¬ 
fence. As to you, my reverend brethren, I have not 
long had the honour to preside among you; but from 
the experience I have had, and what I have always 
heard of your honest love to your country, (if you 
permit me to say so) I will be your security to the 
publick, that you will decline no pains to instruct and 
animate your people, nor expense, according to your 
circumstances, to stand up against popery and arbitrary 
power, under a French or Spanish government. We 
scorn the policies of the court of Rome, have no interests 
separate from the people, but on every occasion, where 
our country is concerned, look upon ourselves as incor¬ 
porated with the warmest defenders of it; or, if we do 
desire to be distinguished, it will be by our ardour and 
zeal to preserve our happy constitution. Let us unite 
then, gentlemen, as one man, to stop this dangerous 
mischief, from which union no man surely can withdraw 
or withhold his assistance, who is not listed into the 
wicked service of a French or Spanish invasion, or 
wholly unconcerned for the fate of his bleeding country. 
May the great God of battles stretch out his all-powerful 
hand to defend us ; inspire an union of hearts and hands 
among all ranks of people, a clear wisdom into the 
councils of his majesty, and a steady courage and reso¬ 
lution into the hearts of his generals !” 

This speech was received with such general applause, 
that £ 40,000. was raised for the defence of the country, 


WISBECH. 


435 


which was immediately seconded by the kingdom. For 
these services he was raised to Canterbury, after arch¬ 
bishop Potter, in 1747. He enjoyed the see ten years, 
and died in 1757, and was said to be as amiable in 
private as respected in public life.* He expended 
<£6000. in the repairs of Lambeth and Croydon palaces, 
and was a noble contributor to several charities. His 
sermons and letters on public occasions have been 
published. 

Sigismund Trafford, esq. who died in 1740, wrote 
an essay on draining, particularly of the Bedford level. 

Dr. Henry Southwell, the reputed author of a 
commentary on the Old and New Testament, called 
“ Dr. Southwell's Family Bible." It has, however, 
been said, that it was not written by him, but that he 
sold his name to some London booksellers for a certain 
pecuniary consideration, and they employed one Dr. 
Saunders to do the work. However, it brought no small 
gain to the publishers, having a great run. The South- 
well family were for many years highly respectable in 
Wisbech ; the last of the name, Henry Southwell, esq. 
died in 1762, leaving two daughters his co-heiresses, 
one of whom married Dr. Warren, bishop of Bangor, 
and the other, Sir James Eyre, lord chief justice of the 
Common Pleas, whose widow died in the month of 
November 1825, at the age of 76. 


* A collateral descendant of the venerable archbishop Ilefring is now 
living at Wisbech, Mr. H. Herring, who carries on the profession of a 
surgeon and apothecary there, and is admired for his professional talents, 
as well as for his uprightness, integrity, and mildness of manners. 

2 E 


A. D. 

1729. 


436 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. Beaupre Bell, esq. of Beaupre Hall, in Outwell, 

1730. who married the daughter of Sir John Oldfield, baronet, 
though an eccentric character, had a great knowledge of 
antiquities.* The register of the Spalding Antiquarian 
Society abounds with proofs of Mr. Bell’s taste and know¬ 
ledge in ancient coins, both Greek and Roman, as well as 
of his many interesting discoveries: he died in 1736. 

1740. Beaupre Bell, his son, also distinguished himself 
as an antiquarian ; he died young of a consumption in 
1741, and left various medals, seals, drawings, and coins, 
to Trinity college, Cambridge. 

1752. The Rev. Brock Rand, chaplain to Thomas Green, 
bishop of Ely, rector of Leverington and of Newton, 
near Wisbech, was an industrious antiquary, and 
collected a list of the incumbents in each parish 
in the dioceses of Ely and Norwich, with memoranda 
of such of the parishes as were to be met with in the 
registers of the bishops of Norwich and Ely. This 
very curious and valuable book was bound up, and 
formed a thick quarto volume, which, after Mr. Rand’s 
death, came into the hands of his friend, the Rev. 
Mr. Dickenson, minister of Leverington Parson Drove 
chapel, by whom it was consigned to the care of the 
master and fellows of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, 
of which society Mr. Rand had been a member. The 
MS. continued safe in their custody until within this 
year or two, but has now by some mischance disappeared, 
and there is but little hope of its recovery. The inqui- 


* Further particulars relating to Beaupre Bell are contained in the 
description of “ Outwell,’' amongst the circumjacent villages. 


WISBECH. 


437 


sitions taken in the time of Hugh de Northwold, who 
lived in the reign of Henry III. are said to have been 
very curious in pointing out old customs and tenures. 

Henry Burroughs, LL.D. vicar of Wisbech and a.d. 
prebendary of Peterborough, was the author of sermons 1770. 
on several subjects and occasions, which Avere printed in 
the year 1770, from a private press of his own. 

John W arren, D.D. vicar of this parish, was first 1777. 
translated to Bangor in 1789. He married the daughter 
of Henry Southwell, esq. of Wisbech, in 1777, died 
27th January 1800, and was interred in Westminster 
abbey. He was a prelate of the greatest application to 
business, undoubted talents, candour, and integrity, and 
he w T as fully acquainted with, and discharged the duties 
of his station, in a manner that shewed his sense of its 
high importance. 

The Hon. and Rt. Rev. Charles, lord bishop of 1780. 
Kildare, a younger son of the earl of Balcarras, w r as 
educated at Wisbech school. He first became vicar 
of Wisbech, and having accompanied the rt. hon. the 
earl of Hardwicke, K.G. when viceroy of Ireland, to 
that country, as his chaplain and private secretary, he 
was made bishop of Killaloe, and afterwards translated 
to the bishopric of Kildare, which he now holds. 

Thomas Clarkson, esq. was a native of this town ; 
his unparalleled exertions in behalf of the oppressed 
Africans, and for the abolition of the slave trade, are 
so well known, that the name of “ Clarkson ” must be 
placed very high among the modern sons of Britain, as 
the real friend of his country, and the benefactor of the 

2 e 2 


438 


HISTORY OF 


human race. He now resides at Playford Hall, in 
Suffolk, and is still animated with the same genial spirit; 
for very recently, (in the year 1824) this worthy man, 
in his zeal to rouse the exertions of his countrymen to 
rescue the present negroes from their degraded state, so 
repulsive and contrary to every principle both of the 
British constitution and the Christian religion, visited 
almost every county in England, travelling in the space 
of seven months nearly 4000 miles, in furtherance of 
that benevolent object. 

Music, as well as all other arts, is chiefly descended 
from the ancients, both vocal and instrumental music 
being highly cultivated and admired in Greece. It no 
doubt received much influence from its admission into 
the religious ceremonies of the first Christians, by the 
chaunting of the different parts of the liturgy, as hymns, 
psalms, &c. The music and words of one of their 
pieces of composition is admired even to the present 
time, the celebrated canticle of the “ Te Deum.” 

a.d. Mr. George Guest, an inhabitant of Wisbech, is 

1789. a gentleman of great merit in that department. His 
name has been noticed in a recent biographical history 
of musicians. He was son of Mr. Ralph Guest, of Bury, 
and being very early instructed in the rudiments of music 
by his father, manifested a great precocity of musical 
talent and capability. When no more than two years 
old, he began to practice the didactic scale; at three, 
he could sing “ God save the Kingat five, he sung in 
public at St. James’ church, Bury, Handel’s song, “ He 
“ shall feed his Flock,” accompanied by a full band ; 
at seven, he took the first treble at the opening of the 
organ at Stow Market; here he attracted the notm' 


WISBECH. 


439 


of the late Mr. Taylor, organist of Chelmsford, by whom 
he was reccommended to Dr. Nares, who, after having 
heard him sing some of Handel’s music, appointed him 
to a situation among the boys in the king’s chapel. In 
this excellent school he made great proficiency in mu¬ 
sical knowledge, and so distinguished himself by his 
skill in singing, that he was brought to sing two songs 
in an oratorio performed before his late majesty George 
III. Upon this occasion, the late revered king, who is 
well known to have been an excellent judge of music, 
expressed great approbation, and gave commands that 
he should always sing songs in the succeeding oratorios. 

In 1787, he left the king’s chapel to undertake the 
organ at Eye, where he remained only tw o years, being in 
1789 appointed to the organ recently erected by Green 
at Wisbech. For this office there were at first no fewer 
than nineteen candidates; but when it was understood 
that Mr. Guest was one, and that they were to undergo 
an examination by Dr. R-andall, in St. Mary’s church, 
Cambridge, they all withdrew their claims except three. 

Mr. Guest, having performed several difficult pieces of 
music, was recommended to the capital burgesses of 
Wisbech by Dr. Randall, and by them accepted. He has 
ever since resided in Wisbech, where he is celebrated 
as a teacher of the piano-forte, and as an extemporary 
performer on the organ. Mr. Guest is the author of a 
variety of musical publications, which have been well 
received ; amongst others, six grand pieces for a full mili¬ 
tary band, as well as several admired glees, duets, and 

songs. 

James Nasmith, D.D. a former rector of Leverington, a.d. 
was a divine and antiquary, born in 1740, and educated 1808. 
at Corpus Christi college, Cambridge : he published an 


440 


HISTORY OF 


edition of the “ Itineraries of Symon, son of Simeon, 
“ and William of Worcester,” and of “Tanner’s Notitia 
“ Monastica.” He formed a catalogue of the manuscripts 
in archbishop Parker’s library, in the same college of 
Corpus Christi, which was printed at the university press 
in 1777, at the expense of the college; besides which, 
he published a charge delivered by him as chairman of 
the quarter sessions at Wisbech, in 1799, on the duties 
of overseers of the poor, and an examination of the 
statutes in force relating to the assize of bread. He 
died at Leverington in 1808, and was buried in the 
chancel there. 

Major-General Thomas Hardwicke, the brother of 
Dr. Hardwicke, of Wisbech, has generally spent the 
period of his relaxation from public duties at this place, 
so that he may almost be considered as one of its in¬ 
habitants. His public services claim considerable respect. 
He entered early into the royal artillery in the East India 
company’s service, on the Bengal establishment, and was 
appointed lieutenant and fire-worker in September 1778. 
In 1794 he was made captain, and major in July 1804; 
lieutenant-colonel in September following; colonel in 
the regiment 21st April 1817, and major-general in 1819. 
In September 1781, this officer marched with the de¬ 
tachment from Bengal, under the command of colonel 
Pearse, to join the army at Madras, commanded bv 
Sir Eyre Coote. # He was present in August 1781, at 
the siege and capture of Trepasore, and in the battle 

* See the “ Royal Military Calendar, containing the services and progress 
“ of the Generals, Colonels, and Majors of the army, according to seniority, 
“ (1820) but a blunder is here committed ; the fact being, that lieutenant 
Hardwicke marched from Bengal in February 1781, and joined the army- 
near Madras in August following j in the same month, the battle of Perin- 
baucum and the siege of Trepasore occurred. 


WISBECH. 


441 


ol Perinbaucum, against the army of Hyder Ally. In 
September, he was in the action with the same army on 
the plains of Sholinghur; in November, at the capture 
of Chettore, in the Polums ; and in the cannonade, 10th 
January 1782, of the Swamps, on the march to relieve 
V ellore. In June 1783, he was at the assault on the 
French lines at Cuddalore, and engaged in the trenches, 
when attacked by that garrison. In 1790, he proceeded 
with a detachment of Bengal artillery, to join the army 
at Madras under the command of general Sir William 
Medows; was present at the capture of the several forts 
of Carvor, Daeraporum, Ariva-coochy, Erode, Caunbatour, 
and Settimangalum. He was with colonel Hoyd’s de¬ 
tachment in the cannonade of 13th September, against 
the army of Tippoo Sultaun, and at the action of 
the following day near Shaoen, on the march to form 
a re-junction with general Medows. He was in the 
attack of 15th March 1791, on Tippoo’s lines before 
Seringapatam, and at the taking of Ooliadroog on the 
18th June. In December 1795, he was at the inves¬ 
titure of Severndroog, and in the same month appointed 
commissary of ordnance by lord Cornwallis, and put in 
charge of the magazines of Bangalore. In 1793, he 
returned to Bengal, and was by lord Cornwallis appointed 
adjutant and quarter-master of artillery. He was present 
in 1794, in the Rohilla battles in Rohilcund, near Be- 
lowra, then holding the rank of captain. In 1797, he 
was appointed commissary of ordnance, in which situation 
he continued until declining health obliged him to return 
to Europe in 1803. He, however, again returned to 
Bengal in 1806. On 5th July 1816, he was appointed 
acting commandant of the regiment of Bengal artillery, 
and his promotion to the rank of major-general bears 
date the 20th August 1819. On the 26th February 


442 


HISTORY OF 


1820, this gallant officer was appointed to the stall, as 
commandant of artillery, consisting of three battalions of 
European foot artillery, and one brigade of six troops 
of horse artillery, which command he held until his 
return to Europe in January 1824.* 


* The compiler has for many years enjoyed the pleasure of a personal 
acquaintance with major-general Hardwicke, and it affords him the highest 
satisfaction to subjoin the following paragraph, extracted from the govern¬ 
ment gazette of Madras, dated 1st January 1824, according, as it so fully 
does in every respect, with his own sentiments, as of all who know the 
general’s public and private character. “December 18th 1823. This 
“ morning a little after gun-fire, major-general Hardwicke, late commandant 
“ of the artillery, embarked on board the steam boat Diana, for the purpose 
“ of joining the honourable company’s ship, ‘ Thomas Grenville,’ atSaujor, 
“ from the sea gate to Fort William, under a salute of thirteen guns from 
“ the batteries, in which ship, the general, accompanied by the Rev. J. 
“ Parson, late senior precedency chaplain, Mrs. Parson, and family, is pro- 
“ ceeding to England. The gallant general originally came to this country 
“ in the year 1778, and now returns home, after a period of nearly half a 
“ century, during which he has filled several of the most important offices 
“in the military department of the state, with the greatest credit to his 
“ reputation, and with the approbation of successive governors, while he 
“ has recommended himself to all by his urbanity and polished manners. He 
“ leaves us, deeply regretted by all his friends : enemies, we firmly believe, 
“ he has none.” The general has also, in an eminent degree, cultivated the 
belles-lettres amidst the din of arms, and is fellow of a society called the 
Royal Asiatic Society, recently established. This institution is at present 
in its infancy, but well deserves, and is daily receiving encouragement from 
enlightened persons, who view with interest any attempt towards the ad¬ 
vancement of science or the diffusion of tiseful knowledge. A large and 
commodious room in Grafton Street, London, is engaged by the society for 
their deliberations, as well as to form a museum of interesting oriental curi¬ 
osities, in which is a considerable collection of Burmese idols and other 
curiosities, taken from a Burmese temple of worship in the late war ; and 
a committee is appointed “ for foreign correspondence, in order to open a 
“ constant and easy channel of communication between the society in 
“ England, and individuals who cultivate a taste for the arts, science, and 
“ polite literature, but who may be stationed or temporarily residing iu 
“ various quarters of the globe.” 


WISBECH. 


443 


We cannot close this biography, without noticing a 
character, who, though not a native of Wisbech, spent 
his early life in a humble sphere in this town, and has 
since exerted his talents in the cause of Christianity, so 
as to benefit the world at large. 

Mr. Wn ,liam Ellis, though born in London in 1794, 
w r as brought by his parents to Wisbech at the age of 
four years. He enjoyed none of the advantages of 
education beyond the commonest rudiments, nor do his 
juvenile years furnish any thing remarkable to interest. 
At the age of twelve, he left his father’s house, and took 
up his abode with a farmer about fourteen miles distant, 
where he remained about three years, when, acquiring 
a taste for botany, he engaged with a gardener in the 
country; but in October 1811, removing to London, he 
spent a year in a nursery ground at Kingsland, and con¬ 
tinued there for the two following years; during this 
period he devoted his mind to study, and receiving some 
serious impressions of religion, his attention became di¬ 
rected to “ Missionary labours.” We know that strong 
mental powers and intellectual energy, besides piety 
and zeal, are requisite to an undertaking of this nature, 
and these qualifications he seemed to possess; for 
having offered himself to the London church missionary 
society, and undergone the customary and necessary 
examination, he received directions in January 1815 to 
proceed to the South Sea Islands, his wife accompanying 
him, and reached Eimeo, one of the Society Islands, 
four leagues west of Otaheite, on 13th February 1817. 
Mr. Ellis having made himself acquainted with the 
Taheitean language, which bears a close affinity to 
that of the Society Islands, was invited to visit the 
Sandwich Islands, whose inhabitants are a most inoffen- 


444 


HISTORY OF 


sivc, hospitable, and kind-hearted people, in order that 
he might propagate the doctrines of Christianity there ; 
and much of the advance which these islanders have 
made is doubtless to be ascribed in a great measure 
to the happy natural disposition with which they 
appear to be almost universally endowed. Already 
they have overthrown the shrines of their idols, and 
there is now scarcely a pagan image, or even a pagan 
rite, to be found amongst them; they feel the propriety 
of covering their persons, and of assuming our costume, 
and evince a ready inclination towards civilized life. 
Mr. Ellis, after becoming a resident at Hawaii, (Owyhee*) 
made a tour of that island, of which an interesting ac¬ 
count has been published by him. In the year 1824, 
Mrs. Ellis’ health induced him to think of returning to 
his native land, where she might receive medical assist¬ 
ance, which the Sandwich Islands did not afford. 

About the period of his intending to return to his 
native country, the king and queen of the Sandwich 
Islands had resolved to visit the British dominions, and 
Mr. Ellis was to have accompanied them when they 
took their departure for England, but a passage could 
not then be procured for him. Mr. Ellis, in his character 
of missionary, had made a sincere impression on the king 
and queen of Hawaii, as is shewn by their conversion to 
Christianity, and abolishing their national idolatry. It 
is a strong proof that the king possessed great decision 
of character, by his undertaking a long and hazardous 
voyage to this country: this expedition was prompted 
by an earnest desire on his part to see for himself 
countries of which he had heard such various and 

* Where captain Cook lost his life. 


WISBECH. 


445 


interesting accounts; to have a personal interview with 
his majesty the king of Great Britain; to obtain a 
better knowledge of the nature of commercial transac¬ 
tions, and to make arrangements with the British 
government, for confirming the cession of the Sandwich 
Islands, and for placing himself and his dominions under 
British protection, and finally to make himself acquainted 
with our institutions. The king, Tamehameha, and his 
queen, Tamehamalu, with their suite, accordingly left the 
South Seas, and arrived in London on the 20th May 
1824, and took up their abode at the Caledonian hotel, 
Adelphi. They attended the public amusements, and 
visited the theatres, dressed in the European manner, 
and a time was appointed for their introduction to his 
majesty king George IV. Whilst waiting for this cere¬ 
mony, Tamehamaha, his queen, and most of their suite, 
were seized with the measles; every attention and respect 
was paid to them; the king sent his own physician to 
attend them, and it was hoped their majesties were re¬ 
covering, when inflammation ensued, and terminated in 
their death; the queen on the 8th July, and the king 
six days after. The government paid due honours to 
their remains, and the Blonde frigate, captain lord Byron, 
w r as ordered to convey them, with their suite, to the 
Sandwich Islands. Although the melancholy death of 
the king and queen prevented the accomplishment of 
the objects so fully as might have been wished, yet no 
unfriendly feeling is likely to be entertained by the 
people as to the cause of it, for though the intelligence 
was received in their own country with sorrow, yet 
the hospitable manner in which the king and queen 
were received and treated while they lived, the high 
respect paid to their remains, and other tokens of 
friendship, not only prevented suspicion, but appear 
to have confirmed the attachment and confidence felt 


6 


HISTORY OF 


by his suite towards England. A younger brother 
about ten years of age is the successor. The narrative 
above alluded to, which Mr. Ellis has published, is 
very interesting, and cannot fail to awaken respect for 
the office of the Christian missionary, and to exhibit 
the author as a man of correct observation and enlight¬ 
ened philanthropy : it is entitled, “ A Narrative of a 
“ Tour through Hawaii, or Owhyhee, with Remarks on 
“ the History, Traditions, Manners, Customs, and Lan- 
“ guage of the Inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands.” 


In a work entitled “Blome’s Britannia,” published in 
1673, an enumeration is made of some of the principal 
families then resident in Cambridgeshire, which are as 
follows: 


IN WISBECH, 

Anthony Buckworth, esq. 
Thomas Edwards, esq. 
Anthony Fisher, esq. 
Matthias Taylor, esq. 

IN ELM, 

Robert Balam, esq. 

IN ELY, 

William Wren, esq. chief 
bailiff of the isle of Ely. 
Charles Wren, esq. 
William Balam, esq. 
Henry Hitch, Dr. of Law. 
Robert Wright, esq. 

IN COTON, 

Simon Watson, esq. 


IN DODDINGTON, 

Sir Sewster Peyton, bart. 

IN MARCH, 

Roger Jennings, esq. 

IN CHATTERIS, 

Michael Hollman, esq. 

IN LITTLEPORT, 

Edward Parthericke, esq. 

IN NEWTON, 

William Colvile, esq. 

IN OUTWELL, 

John Fincham, esq. 

IN UPWELL, 

Peter Dimond, esq. 



WISBECH. 


447 


High-Sheriffs for the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon , 
whose Residences were in Wisbech and the Neighbourhood , 
since ls£ Henri/ VIIL 1509, to the year 1826 inclusive. 

a.d. a.d. 


1523 Anthony Hansard, esq. 

March 
1529 Ditto 

1593 JohnPeyton,esq.Isleham 
1595 Robert Brudenell, esq. 
Doddington 

1604 Sir John Peyton, hart, 
ditto 

1628 Thomas Parke, esq. 
Wisbech 

1631 Richard Colvile, esq. 
Newton 

1634 Robert Balam,esq. Elm 
1647 Tristram Dimond, esq. 
Upwell 

1653 W.Fisher, esq.Wisbech 
1660 W.Colvile, esq. Newton 
1666 J. Caryll, esq. Chatteris 
1672 Richard Read, esq. 
Whittlesea 

1675 C. Turner, esq. ditto 
1678 T. Wiseman, esq. ditto 
1681 Robert Swaine, esq. 
Leverington 

1696 T. Harrison, esq. March 
1699 Richard Parlett Read, 
esq. Chatteris 

1705 J.Walsham, esq. March 
1708 John Jenyns, esq. Dod- 
dinerton 


1711 J. Taylor, esq. Wisbech 
1714 John Marshall, junior, 
esq. ditto 

1717 Roger Laxon, esq. 
Whittlesea 

1723 T. Jenkinson, esq. Elm 
1729 James Anthony, esq. 
Wisbech 

1732 George Waddington, 
esq. Doddington 
1735 Jer. Riss, esq. Thorney 
1738 R. Colvile, esq. Newton 
1744 R. Gill, esq. Upwell 
1750 John Sumpter, esq. 
W alsoken 

1754 Henry Southwell, esq. 
Wisbech 

1757 F. Dixon, esq. Upwell 
1760 Sir P. Vavazor, knt. 
Wisbech 

1763 Isaac Young, esq. ditto 
1766 J. Goddard, esq. Elm 
1769 J. Collier, esq. March 
1775 Daniel Swaine, esq. 
Leverington 

1781 John Johnson, esq. ditto 
1784 Thomas Shepheard,esq. 
March 

1790 Thomas Ground, esq. 
Whittlesea 


448 


HISTORY OF 


A. I). 

1793 Thomas Cole, esq. Dod- 
dington 

1796 John Gardiner, esq. 
Chatteris 

1799 J. Westwood, esq. ditto 
1802 Thomas Aveling, esq. 
Whittlesea 

1805 J. Marshall, esq. Elm 
1808 Sir H. Peyton, bart. 
Emneth 

So that in 317 years there 
have been nine sheriffs se¬ 
lected from .... Wisbech 

Six ditto . March 

Six ditto.Whittlesea 

Six ditto . Chatteris 

Five ditto .... Doddington 
Four ditto . Elm 


a.d. 

1811 WilliamDunn Gardner, 
esq. Chatteris 
1820 Thomas Burgess, esq. 
Benwick 

1823 William Rayner, esq. 
Wisbech 

1826 Thomas Fryer, esq. 
Chatteris 


Three ditto from .. Newton 
Three ditto .. Leverington 

Three ditto . Upwell 

One ditto . Thorney 

One ditto . Benwick 

One ditto.Emneth 

One ditto .Walsoken 

One ditto.Isleham. 


A few of the Plants growing in this County. 

Althea Officinalis—Marsh Mallow. 

Aloe Palustris—Water Sengreen, or Fresh-water Soleur. 
Agrostis Stolenifera—Common Couchgrass. 

Atrope Belladama—Deadly Nightshade. 

Arenarea Marina—Sea Sandwort, sold as Samphire. 
Artes Tripolium—Sea Starwort. 

Artimonia Maritima—Sea Wormwood. 

Carum Carve—Carraw^iys. 













WISBECH. 


449 


Carduus Acaulis—Dwarf Carline Thistle. 

Crocus—Saffron, formerly much cultivated in this county. 
Camelina—Treacle Wormseed, in the osier holts. 

Conyza Palustris—Bird’s Tongue, about Chatteris. 

Caltha Palustris—Marsh Marigold. 

Caryophillus Holosteus—Stickwort, in the fens. 

Eleaginus Cordi—Sweet Willow, in the low parts of the isle; this 
used to be put among clothes to communicate a sweet scent. 
Frankenia Levis—Sea Heath. 

Glycyrrhiza Vulgaris—Liquorice, formerly planted in great 
quantities in Elm. 

Isatis—Woad. 

Menyanthes Nymphoides—Fringed Water Lily. 

-Trifoliata—Marsh Trefoil. 

Millefolium Palustre—Hooded Water Milfoil, in the ditches. 
- Aquaticum—Horse-tail Water Milfoil, in stag¬ 
nating waters. 

Mymphea Lutea—Yellow Water Lily. 

Potentilla Anserina—Silver Weed, or Goose Grass. 
Ranunculus Flammeus Major—Great Spear Wort, in the 
ditches. 

Statice Armeria—Thrift. 

Stratoites Aloide—Water Aloe. 

Scordium—Water Germander, in osier holts about Ely. 
Sysimbrum Sylvestre—Creeping Water Rocket. 

Sanchus Palustris—Marsh Sow Thistle. 

Triticum Repens—Couch Grass. 

Valeriana Diorca—Marsh Valerian. 


The isle of Ely is divided into four hundreds and thirty 
two parishes or hamlets, as follows: 






450 


HISTORY OF 


Hundreds. 

* 

Parishes. 

Populatior 
in each 
Parish in 
1821. 

No. of 
Parishe 
in each 
llund. 

Population 
b in each 
Hundred. 

£iy . 

Ely Trinity and College 

1 3528 




Ely St. Mary’s and ^ 

1460 




Stuntney . S 





Littleport . 

2364 




Downham. 

1350 

4 

8702 

South Part 

Witchford. 

401 



of 

Witcham . 

473 



Witchford 

Coveney. 

325 




W entworth . 

139 



• 

Mepal . 

406 




Manea . 

657 




Sutton . 

1157 




Haddenham . 

1725 




Wilburton. 

465 



c 

Stretham . 

875 




Thetford . 

229 

11 

6852 

North Part 

March . 

3850 



of 

Wimblington . 

859 



W itchford 

Doddington . 

676 




Benwick . 

514 




Chatteris . 

3283 

5 

9182 

Wisbech .. 

Wisbech St. Peter’s .. 

6515 




Wisbech St. Mary’s .. 

1362 




Leverington ... 

848 




Parson Drove . 

675 




Newton. 

368 




Tid St. Giles.| 

781 




Elm . 

1368 




Outwell.1 

398 




Upwell . 

1148 




Welney&WelchesDam 

468 

10 

13931 

Liberties of 

Whittlesea . 

5276 




and 





Thorney. 

1970 

2 

7246 



Total 

32 

45913 


In Ely, and South Part of Witchford. 15,554 

North Part of Witchford, Wisbech, and Liberties > OA OCA 
of Whittlesea and Thorney .) 3Q > 359 

45,913 




















































WISBECH ST. MARY’S. 


451 


HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 


OF THE 


PARISHES IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF WISBECH 5 


COMMENCING WITH 


WISBECH SAINT MARY’S, 

Situate in the fields, about two miles north-west of 
the town of Wisbech Saint Peter’s. On the north brink 
of the great river, between St. Peter’s and St. Mary’s, 
stood an ancient mansion, called “ White Hall,” hereto¬ 
fore the residence of a family of some note of the name 
of Everard, settled here as early as a.d. 1300. The name 
of John Everard, esq. occurs in certain presentments re¬ 
lative to straitening the river, in 1438 and when king 

% 

Edward VI. granted the charter to the town of Wisbech, 
Richard Everard, esq. was therein nominated oneof the ten 
men, his name standing second, and next to the brother of 
the then lord bishop.t An heiress of the Everard line 


* Dugdale, p. .‘318. See page 33 . This family had very considerable 
possessions in Wisbech and the neighbourhood, and the name is often men¬ 
tioned in old presentments. Fitton hall, in Leverington, belonged to this 
family. 

t See page 174. Also, Richard Everard, esq. in 1566, gave, by his will, 
his manor of Fitton’s, in Wiggenhall St. German’s, in Marshland, to John 
Everard, on whose death without issue, Henry Everard, of Linstead, in 
Suffolk, his cousin, is stated to have become his heir. Parkins, p. 310. 

9 f 

r 


452 


HISTORY OF 


intermarried with Buckworth, which transferred this 
estate into the latter family. In 1599, the name of 
Everard Buckworth, esq. occurs amongst the capital 
burgesses of Wisbech. Theophilus Buckworth, bishop 
of Dromore, in Ireland, is said to have died at Whitehall 
in the year 1652; and dame Esther, widow of Sir John 
Buckworth, died possessed of this estate in 1691. In- 
1703, Thomas Buckworth, and Elizabeth, his wife, sold 
the manor and estate of White Hall to Mr. Robert Harris, 
of London. # The title-deeds, which are preserved, 
describe this property as “all that manor, or site of a 
“ manor, or manor house, called White Hall, with the 
“ courts, profits, and perquisites of courts,” &c. The 
estate remained in the family of Harris until 1786, when 
it passed by will to the late Christopher Hand, esq.f of 
Cheveley, in the county of Cambridge, whose widow is 
now in possession of it. The old hall was taken down 
about the year 1807, and the materials employed in 
building a modern farm house, still retaining the name 
of White Hall, which, with the estate, is now in the 
occupation of Mr. Thomas Moore, an intelligent, upright, 
and honest man. With the writings of this estate is 
a deed (without date) under the hand and seal of 
Thomas Buckworth, relative to a right which probably 
had been exercised in more ancient times, and then by 
him renewed, whereby, in consideration of two pounds, 
he granted “ all those his swans and cygnets, white and 
“ grey, marked with the anchor,]: swimming, remaining 


* His monument in Wisbech church is mentioned in page 267. 
t Mr. Hand married a daughter of Martin Folkes, esq. an ancestor of 
the present baronet. The family of Folkes formerly resided at Cheveley. 
of whom there are several memorials in the parish church. 

t No person may have a swan mark, except lie have lands of the yearly 
value of five marks, and unless it he by grant of the king, or his officers 
lawfully authorized, or by prescription. Statute 22d Edward IV. cap. 6. 


WISBECH ST. MARY’S. 


453 


or being in, upon, or about the river of Owse, in the 
isle of Ely, or in, upon, or about any other river or 
“ rivers, brooks, waters, or places, within the said county 
u of Cambridge, or elsewhere, within the kingdom of 
“ England; and all rights, royalties, &c. to the said 
“ swans and cygnets, and gains of swans and cygnets 
“ in any wise belonging, together with the aforesaid 
“ swan marks, # for the use of the said Robert Harris, 
“ his heirs, and assigns for ever.” f A certain part of 
the turnpike road, between Wisbech Saint Mary’s and 
the adjoining town of Thorney beyond Guyhirn, is called 
Peakirk drove; J which causeway most probably took its 
name from Pega, the sister of St. Guthlac, a celebrated 
saint, born a. d. 673. The earlier years of this saint 
were employed in the exercise of arms, and military 
studies. Tired, however, with this laborious calling, 
Guthlac bade adieu to war and bloodshed, and declared 
he would no longer fight under any other banner than 
that of religion. No argument could dissuade him from 
his resolution, and in a. d. 697, he retired to the famous 
monastery of Rep ton, in Derbyshire, and aiming at still 
greater austerities, determined to lead an eremitical life, 
choosing for his place of retirement the isle of Croyland, 
at that time an uninhabited place. St. Guthlac had 
by this time obtained great reputation for his sanctity, 
and was in high esteem with king Ethelbald. At the 


* Swans on the Thames have for ages been protected as royal property. 
If a wild swan is taken, and marked, and turned loose in the river, the 
owner’s property in him still contiuues, and it is not lawful for any one else 
to take him. Blackstone's Commentaries, vol. ii. p. 392. 

t The information relative to White Hall was kindly furnished by 
T. Ireland, esq. of Staples Inn. 

x It was sometimes called Black drove, from the nature of the soil, being 
of that colour. See also page 113. 


454 


HISTORY OF 


expiration of fifteen years from the time St. GuthfaC 
took possession of the hermitage, his life terminated, 
and in a. d. 714 this Christian hero breathed his last. 
His sister Pega took the proper care of his interment, 
and king Ethelbald founded and endowed the abbey at 
Crowland to his honor. She had also a religious 
house or cell* dedicated to her; which wus demolished 
in early times, and absorbed in the larger one of 
Peterborough. A village near the site of this cell, lying 
about six miles N.N.W. from Peterborough, between the 
property of the Thorney and Cropland abbies, appears 
also to have been indebted to her for its name, “ Pea-kirk,’ 
that is to say, “ Pega’s Church.” 

The church of Wisbech St. Mary^s is a neat 
building of stone, consisting of a square tower, in 
which hang five bells, on it is a small leaden spire, 
and cross of lead; the side aisles are separated from 
the nave by four wide arches, over each of which is 
one of those grotesque figures, so often observable 
in ancient churches. The nave and north aisle are 
covered with lead, and the south with slate. The 
interior of the church is neatly fitted up with pews, 
all of which are painted of an uniform wainscot 
colour, and the floors of the respective seats are made 
comfortable, by being covered with boards above the 
ancient brick floor, at the expense of the worthy vicar 
Dr. Jobson. The font is of ancient workmanship. 
Divine service is performed once on every Sunday, 
alternately morning and afternoon. The chancel is 


* Cells were houses that belonged to great abbeys, or monasteries. 
Into these cells the monks of the abbeys sent colonies when they were too 
muc h crowded. 


WISBECH ST. MARY’S. 


455 


divided from the nave by a handsome arch, the upper 
part of which is fitted up with a skreen, whereon is 
painted the decalogue, with a rude painting of Moses 
and Aaron standing on each side: the former is 
represented with the table of the ten commandments in 
his hand, as descending from the mount, and horns * 
issuing from his head. This is now only a chapel to 
Wisbech St. Peter’s, though it is said to have been the 
mother church, and dedicated to St. Mary, f There arc 
no mural monuments in the church. In the chancel 
are marble slabs to the memory of 

Dr. Bull, a former vicar, who died in 1749, aged 66. 

Rev. Edmund Brewster, in 1793. 

Daniel Thorpe, in 1807. 

Mary, his widow, in 1818, aged 80. 

The altar is railed in, and has one step, and within 
is a tombstone to the memory of a younger branch of 
a family who were formerly very respectable inhab¬ 
itants of this parish, viz. Daniel Hardy, who died at 
the age of 18, in the year 1757. On the south side 
of the communion table is a small arched recess, probably 
used heretofore for the holy water. Below the steps, 
in the middle of the chancel, lies an old stone, disrobed 
of an inscription. In the body of the church are the 
following marble slabs to 


* Exodus chap, xxxiv. v. 29. “When Moses came down from the mount, he 
*t w i s t not that the skin of his face shone,” &c. The Latin vulgate renders 
the translation “horned,” by confining the sense of the Hebrew word, 
which signified in general “rayed.” From mistaking that translation, the 
Italian painters (whom others have ignorantly followed,) were accustomed 
to represent Moses with “ horns, ” instead of “ rays,” of glorious light, 
t Coles’ MSS. 


456 


HISTORY OF 


John Gardiner, gent, who died in 1702. 

Jeremiah Grounds, sen. in 1809, aged 56. 

Susanna, his wife, in 1824, aged 70. 

Alicia Grounds, wife of Jeremiah Grounds, jun. in 
1817, aged 36. 

Jeremiah Grounds, jun. her husband, in 1822, aged 32. 

Also in the north aisle arc slabs to John, Thomas, 
and Frances Cheeseman, the last of whom died in 1827. 

In the church yard are various tombstones, to the 
memory of the families of Culy, Marriott, Skells, and 
Abbot; and on the south-east corner is a freestone altar 
tomb, with an inscription to the memory of Mr. John 
Hardy, who died in 1726. 

Bishop Mawson issued certain articles of inquiry 
respecting the number and sorts of dissenters in 1755, 
when the churchwardens of Wisbech St. Mary’s returned 
in answer, that there were ninety families in their parish, 
fifteen of which were called Culimites, a sect so little 
known, that Mr. Bentham, in his work, transcribed the 
following account of their founder.* 

“The Culimites were so called from their founder, one 
“ David Culy, who lived about the time of the revo- 
“ lution, and was, as I’ve been informed, a native of 
“ Guyhirn, (a hamlet of Wisbech St. Peter’s) most of 
“ the inhabitants of which place became his followers, 
“ and many also from Whittlesea, Wisbech St. Mary’s, 
“ Outwell, and Upwell, until at length his flock, from very 
“ small beginnings, was increased to 700 or 800. But 


* See Stevenson’s Appendix to Bentham’s Ely. 


WISBECII ST. MARY’S. 


457 


c ‘ since his death, which happened about 1718, it has been 
“ continually on the decline, and is now so much reduced, 
u that, according to the account returned in by the 
“ churchwardens, there are not above fifteen families of 
“ this sect remaining in the diocese of Ely, who all dwell 
<c at Wisbech St. Mary’s and Guyhirn. David Culy 
<l resided generally at Guyhirn, where he had a meeting 
u house, and was in such esteem among his followers, 

<i as to be stiled ‘the Bishop of Guyhirn.’ As to his 
<( doctrine, it differed very little, I believe, from that of 
<( the Anabaptists, to which sect, I have been told, he 
“ originally belonged. I once saw a book written by 
<( David Culy, wherein his notions were particularly 
<l described.” 

It is useful to record public gifts and benefactions, in 
order not only to preserve them, as far as can be, from 
devouring time, but to animate others, by example, to a 
worthy emulation of such charitable works, pleasing, it 
is to be hoped, to God and man. In this parish will be 
found the following 

BENEFACTIONS. 

John Bend, of Wisbech Murrow, yeoman, by his a.d. 
will, gave certain lands to the use of the poor in Wisbech 1593. 
Murrow , Guyhirn , Tholomas Drove , and Leverington 
Parson Drove ; and after declaring that he had made a 
feoffment to Thomas White and others, of a cottage and 
sixty-one acres of land in Wisbech Murrow, in Fenhall 
field, and three acres and a cottage in Chapel field, to 
the use of himself and Margaret, his wife, for their lives 
and the longest liver; after which, it was his will, that 


458 


HISTORY OF 


the feoffees should let the same yearly, or for not above 
ten years, and to demise the fifty-eight acres to the 
use of the poor of Wisbech aforesaid, to be employed 
towards making a stock to keep the poor on work ; or 
else (if not against the laws of the realm) to distribute 
the yearly profit to such poor people inhabiting within 
Marrow , Guyhirn , Tholomas, and St. Mary’s in Wisbech, 
as were there born, or there continuing for six years 
together, without relief; and for default of such not 
having need, the rents to be employed where most 
needful, in discharging any common charge, at the dis¬ 
cretion of the feoffees: and the profits of the said 
cottage and three acres in Chapel field to be bestowed 
to such purposes before mentioned, and to such like poor 
inhabiting in Murrow only. The testator then declared 
that he had made a feoffment, and willed a cottage and 
sixteen acres in Leverington Parson Drove, to similar 
uses, for the poor of Parson Drove, and thereupon di¬ 
rected, that when four or five of the feoffees of Wisbech 
or of Parson Drove should die, the survivors should 
make over the estate to eight or ten other inhabitants, 
by deed, one of which to be in the custody of the ten 
men of the town of Wisbech, and their successors. And 
if his gift might not stand, according to the laws of the 
realm, or should be frustrated, then he willed his lands 
and tenements to the ten men of the town of Wisbech, 
and their successors, to be let with others of their lands, 
to be employed for the intents expressed in his will. 
This charity is distributed on St. Thomas’ and new r 
Candlemas-day in every year, according to the donor’s 
will. The present surviving trustees are Messrs. Thomas 
Williamson, Abraham Culy, John Morris, and John 
Hollingworth. 


WISBECH ST. MARY’S. 


459 


Thomas Hardy, of Tholomas Drove, gent, by will, a.d. 
gave four acres of pasture in Richey field, in the same 1726. 
hamlet, also a lot of eight acres of marsh in Wisbech 
high fen, to certain trustees, upon trust, to keep six or 
more poor children of Wisbech St. Mary’s at school 
with the schoolmaster, who was to be placed in the 
school house then lately built at his expence; and when 
the trustees were reduced to three, the survivors should 
grant over the said lands to the use of themselves and 
three new trustees. The said four acres never to be 
ploughed, nor the eight acres let to be burnt or cut up in 
turves. Other eight acres were also afterwards inclosed 
from the commons of Wisbech St. Mary’s, and added to 
the above gift. In 1791 new trustees were appointed, 
who disposed of the rents of the three pieces of land 
in keeping certain poor children at school, and placing 
them with the schoolmaster in the school house built by 
the same Thomas Hardy. When the trustees were 
reduced to three, new ones were directed to be ap¬ 
pointed. The present master, Mr, John Burman, was 
elected to the said school on the 24th of May 1819, at 
which time certain additional rules were drawn up by 
the trustees for the better regulation of the school. The 
present surviving trustees are Thomas Beak ley the 
younger, Joseph Beakley, John Morris, John Holling- 
worth, Thomas Williamson, Christopher Thorpe, William 
Culy the younger, Samuel Marriott,* Henry Walker 
Marriott, and Joseph Gilby. 

* There is a bridge at Guyhirn, called “ Marriott’s Brigge,” leading 
to Tholomas Drove, mentioned by that name as early as 1438. Dugdale, 
p. 321. 


I 


460 


HISTORY OF 


GUYHIRN, THOLOMAS DROVE, AND 

MURROW, 

Are hamlets belonging to Wisbech St. Peter’s, and 
adjoining to Wisbech St. Mary’s, lying between five and 
six miles distant from St. Peter’s, of which the dean 
and chapter of Ely have the manor. The turnpike road 
leading from Wisbech to Thorney passes through these 
hamlets, which consist of a few scattered houses along 
the road. At Guyhirn is a neat chapel for the perfor¬ 
mance of divine service, built in 1666, in the gift of the 
vicar of Wisbech, and the incumbency having been 
augmented by queen Ann’s bounty, is now worth about 
£80. per annum, intended to be increased by the interest 
of £ 500. more, to be advanced as soon as a convenient 
purchase in land can be found. Dr. Jobson has lately 
expended a sum of money in repairing and beautifying 
the interior of this chapel, which altogether forms a 
very neat place of worship. The Rev. Thomas Patterson 
Holmes is the present incumbent. 

It appears there was formerly a manor called Tudenham 
Hall, near Guyhirn, of which Sir Robert Tudenham was 
lord in 10th Edward I. (1281). The name of Sir 
Thomas Tudenham, who held certain estates at Tholomas 
Drove, occurs in 16th Henry VI. (1438) respecting his 
liability to repair a certain portion of bank there, be¬ 
ginning at the Fendyke.* On the accession of Edward 
IV. (1460) Sir Thomas Tudenham was beheaded with 
the earl of Oxford, for rebellion against that king, -when 
probably his estates were confiscated, as we hear no 
more of this family. 


* See page 33. 


GUYHIRN, &c. 


461 


In former times, the roads in these hamlets were for 
a great part of the year in an impassable state for 
travelling, no doubt, therefore, the inhabitants living at 
a. distance from their parish church would find great 
convenience in having the benefit of religious services 
near their residence : accordingly, we find that a chapel 
within the cure of Wisbech, and named the chapel of 
Corpus Christi, was founded at Wisbech Murrow, by 
the ancestors of Richard Everard, esq. # and in 1388, 
the lord bishop of Ely licensed the inhabitants of 
Murrow hamlet to have a chaplain or priest there, to 
minister and celebrate divine service; and by the like 
reason of their distance from the parish church of Wis¬ 
bech, the same privileges were extended to the inhabi¬ 
tants of Guyhirn hamlet, and it has been said, that 
certain lands remained in the hands of the chapelwardens 
towards the finding of a priest. In 1553, a pension of 
£3. 10s. per annum was paid to William Susan, “ late 
<c chantry priest of Gyherne.” Capella Maria Magdalene 
de Guyherne, Capella in Murrow, and Capella apud 
Pigge’s Drove, are all recorded to have once existed.f 
At the latter place, a license was granted in 1347, for a 
new oratory; besides which, there appears to have been 
another chapel at a place called Kilhus, or Kilhushing.J 
In 1406, the following chaplains are recorded as serving 
at the altars in the churches and chapels of Wisbech: 
Sir John Gray, (chaplain of Guyhirn) Sir John Lamys- 
dale, Sir Thomas Wells, Sir Richard Austin, Sir Richard 
Lake, Sir Richard Blower, SirWilliam Thorpe, Sir William 
Marlys, Sir Thomas Austin, and Sir Thomas Waleys.§ 


* See page 167. 

f Coles’ MSS. The church of St. Mary in the fen end is supposed to 
refer to the Guyhirn chapel. 

X See endowment of Wisbech vicarage, p. 245. § See note, p. 165. 


462 


HISTORY OF 


Mention is also made of a chapel in the hundred of 
Wisbech, called “ Harrimere,” or “ Havcringmere,” to 
which free chapel Sir Philip Tilney presented John 
Berewyke, on the death of Thomas Cotton, in 1390.* 
An ancient cross f formerly stood at Guyhirn, about 
the spot where the Murrow bank meets the turnpike 
road leading through Peakirk drove, and a tower of 
brick was there built by bishop Morton, J where the new 
cut met the river, in order, as it was said, that his 
lordship might see his workmen afar off in the level. 
Wisbech Guyhirn, Tholomas Drove, and Murrow partake 
of the benefit of the charity left by the before-mentioned 
will of John Bend. 

It is said that Guyhirn was celebrated in ancient 
times for a severe engagement between a Saxon king 
and the abbot of Ely, which contest seems to have been 
of no ordinary description, as the legend informs us 
that 5000 men were brought into the field : it probably 
was in the time of the heptarchy, and arose from dis¬ 
putes respecting the boundary of property, frequent at 
such early periods. In this rencounter, the abbot is 
stated to have gained a complete and decisive victory 
over the prince. § 

According to the population returns taken in 1821, 
Wisbech St. Mary’s, with Guyhirn, Murrow, and Tho¬ 
lomas Drove, contained 1362 inhabitants, viz. 702 males, 
and 660 females. 


* Coles’ MSS. t See note, page 139. J See note, page 40. 

§ This anecdote is given from recollection, and corroborated by the 
the testimony of a learned friend. There is a record of such an event in 
some ancient document, but the compiler is at present unable to refer to it. 


LEVERINGTON. 


463 


LEVERINGTON 

Is a large village, two miles north of Wisbech, lying in 
the hundred and deanery of Wisbech, divided into two 
townships, called Leverington St. Leonard’s, and Lever- 
ington Parson Drove. In Blomefield’s Collectanea 
there is mention made of a license for celebrating 
divine service in the chapel of Richmond manor, in 
Leverington, granted in 1390. In the fifteenth century 
is a presentment made by the jurors for the Wisbech 
hundred, that John de Chardeleigh, knight, held a manor 
in Leverington, called Richmonde, of the value of one 
hundred shillings above reprizes; and that John Everard, 
esq. held the manor in Leverington, called Fitton Hall, of 
the value of £6. per annum.* Of Richmond manor 
there is no further information until 1632, when it be¬ 
longed to a family of the name of Carvill. The estate 
became afterwards in the possession of major Mason, of 
Necton, near Swaffham, in Norfolk, who sold it in lots, 
when the manor, with the principal farm, was purchased 
by Mr. George Johnson, to whom it now belongs. 

The church is a noble and beautiful structure, having an 
antique square tower at the west end, finely proportioned 
and chastely ornamented, on which is placed a lofty spire 
of stone, of the height of 162 feet in the whole, admired 
as one of the most elegant in the isle and county. On 
each corner of the tower is a pretty considerable round 
turret, which has a very good effect. In the tower are 
five musical bells. The nave is spacious, as is the chancel, 
with two side aisles, and a chapel at the end of the south 
aisle, all of which are leaded. Here is also a beautiful 


* Coles’ MSS. 


464 


HISTORY OF 


south porch, built entirely of stone, with a priest’s chamber 
over it, about twelve feet square, roofed also with freestone, 
and adorned with spire work. The church is exempt from 
the archdeacon’s jurisdiction, and under that of the 
bishop only. A saint’s bell used to hang at the east end 
of the church, by a small turret on the south side. The 
altar is on three steps, and is railed in. 

In the south wall, by the altar steps, are three de¬ 
scending arches, where probably stood some stone stalls : 
near thereto is a niche for holy water. 


Over the communion table are the decalogue, creed, 
and Lord’s prayer. Within the rails are handsome 
marble slabs: the one on the south side of the com¬ 
munion table is to the memory of Jane, the wife of the 
Rev. Brock Rand, who died in 1747: “ Quantum, heu 
“ quantum desiderataand also to the said Brock 
Rand,* who was twenty-nine years rector of Leverington, 
and twenty-two of Newton, and died in 1753, aged 57. 
And that on the north side is to the Rev. James Nasmith, 
S. T. P.f who died in the year 1808, aged 68. At the 
foot of the altar steps is a large black marble slab, with 
a line drawn down the middle, and this inscription: 


In Memory 


Of Simon Hardy gent, who 
died 6th March, 1727. 
Of Elizabeth his relict,who 
died in 1769, aged 74. 


Of Matthew Hardy gent. 

who died in 1735. 
Elizabeth, daughter of 
Simon Hardy. 

Said Simon Hardy, who 
died in 1771. 


* See * Biography,’ page 436 


t Ibid, page 439. 



LEVERINGTON. 


465 


On a small freestone, on the north side of the chancel, 
is an inscription to the memory of Henry Pern, who 
died in 1721, having been forty years rector. Another 
slab to Robert Wells, M. D. who died in 1768; and 
another to the daughter of Ambrose Eyre, a former 
rector, who died in 1782. A large marble slab records 
the memory of John Johnson esq. high sheriff of the 
counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon in the year 1771. 
“ He had seventeen children, eight of which lie buried 
“ in the same grave. An honest man and a good 
<c Christian.” Died in 1785, aged 48. 

Also two ancient slabs to John Simpson, who died 
in 1703, and John Denison, who died in 1716, and a 
recent one, adjoining to Simon and Matthew Hardy’s, 
to the children of Nicholas Taylor. 

Elegant arches of division separate the chancel from 
the south chapel, wherein are five escutcheons to the 
family of Swaine, and several mural monuments to them 
and the family of Cross, viz. 

Robert Swaine, who died in 1705, aged 90. He was 
high sheriff of the counties of Cambridge and Hun¬ 
tingdon in 1681. 

Thomas Swaine, who died in 1728, aged 84. He 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Roger Spelman, of 
Holme, in Norfolk, who died in 1719. 

Another Robert Swaine, who died in 1721-22. 

Mary, wife of John Swaine, daughter of John Tre- 
gonwell, esq. of Anderson, in the county of Dorset, 
who died in 1731.* 


* See account of the family of Swaine, in Hutclien’s History of Dorset¬ 
shire. Cole^ MSS. 


466 


HISTORY OF 


Also of the said John Swaine, who died in 1752* 

A slab to 

Spelman Swaine, esq. who died in 1761, aged 65. 
John Swaine, who died in 1772, aged 67. 
Monuments to 

Daniel Swaine, who married Mary, daughter of Simon 
Taylor of Lynn, and died in 1782, aged 59. 

* Spelman Swaine, who married Dorothy, daughter of 
Walter Robinson, of Lynn. The former died in 
1803, aged 59 ; the latter, in 1808, aged 66. They 
had eleven children, six of whom survived them. 
And a small tablet to Dorothy Swaine, daughter of 
Daniel and Mary Swaine, who died in 1824, aged 57. 

Also to the family of Cross, as follows: 

A mural monument, at the east end of this chapel, to 
Thomas Cross, who died in 1633, and another like 
monument, on the opposite side, to Thomas Cross, who 
died in 1743. On the floor are slabs to John Cross, 
who died in 1704; to Edward Cross, and Sarah, his 
wife, daughter of Dr. Massey, of Wisbech, who died 
in 1765; and to another Thomas Cross, who died in 

I 

1768 ; with a monumental slab to William Hawkins, 
of Wisbech, gent, who died in 1770. 

In this chapel is a niche, formerly used for holy water, 
and therein also stands an eagle, but not of brass. 

The nave is separated from the chancel by a handsome 
arch; five pillars on each side divide the aisles, and 
three pillars the south chapel from the chancel. In the 
south aisle is a slab to the memory of Mr. George 
Burgess, surgeon, late of Wisbech, who died in 1779, 
aged 49 : “ Superna curate non terrestriabesides two 
or three slabs to the family of Denison. 


LEVERINGTGN. 


467 


tn the north aisle is a slab to the memory of a daughter 
of the Rev. Ambrose Goode,* curate, of the date of 1797. 

Over the north door are several sentences of scripture: 
“ This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter 
“ into it,” Sic. 

At the west end is a singing gallery, over which are 
the royal arms. At the bottom of the middle aisle, at 
the west end, stands the font: it is octagonal, in the 
Gothic style, richly ornamented with tracery, and niches 
round it, in which are sitting figures of bishops, &c.t 
enriched with pinnacles, crotchets, and roses. It is 
ascended on the west side by three stone steps, and a 
platform. 

One of those ancient crosses,£ formerly so general, 
used to stand at the extremity of the parish, (near the 
present residence of Mr. Abraham Ulyat) where the 
hamlet or township of Parson Drove commences, which 
went by the name of Peter’s Cross, many years since 
removed. 

The names of the following rectors have been preserved. 

A.D. 

1429 John Aylestone, who contributed largely towards 
building the chancel, as well as erecting the east 
window there. 


* The present highly esteemed vicar of Terrington, Norfolk, 
t Fonts were anciently adorned with the images of saints and holy men, 
to the end that such as were baptized might have before their eyes the 
representation of those persons eminent for holiness and virtue, whose 
actions they were to imitate. Stanley's History of Churches. 

| See page 139. 

2 G 


468 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

1544 Sir Thomas Smith, secretary to Edward VI. was rector 
four years, from this date to 1549. He was also dean 
of Carlisle, and provost of Eton. When he was rector, 
the value of the rectory was estimated at £36. per 
annum only. # 

1558 Richard Bowler occurs as rector, and was buried at 
Leverington 31st Januarie 1609. 

1640 George Bayley, B.D. About 1646, he was sequestrated 
from the church, and lived twelve years under his se¬ 
questration, with a large family of children, in great 
hardships and wants, within two years of the restoration^ 

1662 John Randolph, M.A. collated February 9th. 

- Richard Reynolds, presented August 10th. 

1682 Henry Pern. 

1721 John Rustat. 

1724 Brock Rand.J 

1754 Samuel Fenner Warren, February 11th. 

- John Warren, (on the resignation of Samuel) May 28th ; 

afterwards vicar of Wisbech, whence he was elevated 
to the see of St. David’s, and afterwards translated to 
that of Bangor. 

1770 Richard Oram. 

1774 Ambrose Eyre. 

1796 James Nasmith, D.D.§ 

1808 Bowyer Edward Sparke, D. D. This distinguished 
scholar, and accomplished gentleman, was seventh in 
the list of honours in the university of Cambridge in 
1782, and second medallist, the late Richard Porson, 
with whom none could hope to enter into a successful 
competition, being the first. He has been successively 
dean of Bristol and bishop of Chester, and now fills the 
important see of Ely. 


* Coles’ MSS. 


t Ibid. 


} See p. 436. 


§ See p. 439. 




A. D. 


LEVERINGTON. 


469 


1812 John Banks Jenkinson, D.D. since dean of Wor¬ 
cester, and now bishop of St. David’s and dean 
of Durham. 

1827 John Henry Sparke, M.A. eldest son of the lord 
bishop of Ely, and chancellor of the diocese. 

In some of the church windows are considerable re¬ 
mains of painted glass. The east window of the north 
aisle, which is in the style of the fifteenth century, has 
been filled with painted glass, representing fifty small 
figures, at present mutilated in several places, and few 
of the panes are perfect, those which have been broken 
being replaced with plain glass. In the five larger lights 
are ten figures of Jewish kings, each attended by a saint 
or prophet, with a motto on a scroll; some of them very 
fine, particularly one holding out the hand, which is 
considered most excellently executed. This window was 
probably put up by the family which some of the above 
figures represented, who no doubt were lords of the 
manor: the several divisions between the figures are 
formed of vine branches; the smaller compartments are 
filled with figures of the Virgin Mary, symbols of the 
evangelists, &c. 

In a north window of the chancel are four figures of 
two women and their husbands, in kneeling postures, 
heretofore considered very beautiful, but time has in part 
defaced them. They were in the dress of the times, 
very elegant; but the men in armour, in both pannels, 
are without any coat of arms on their armour. The 
first lady is in a blue mantle, on which is a lion rampant 
argent, with an inscription on a scroll over their heads. 
The verses are pretty plain : the picture is of our Lady, 
with our Saviour in her lap. 


* Barra is an old English word for lap. Chaueev. 

2 g 2 


470 


HISTORY OF 


u Lady, lede us well fro harm, 
u To him y’at lay ded in ye barm.”* 

Under the figures, the word “ Margaret,” out of many 
other words now broken and lost, is the only one left, 
which, no doubt, was the Christian name of the lady 
above. On the mantle of the second lady is a lion 
rampant. In a scroll over their heads is this legend, 
still perfect, though the picture of St. John, which 
ought to be above it, is lost. 

“ Ju, fro sine make us fre, 

“ For John’s love we baptised be.” 

In the chancel window was formerly inscribed : “ Orate 
“ pro anima Johis Aylestone, rector istius ecclesiae, qui 
“ hanc fenestram fieri fecit, et edifieavit hunc cancellum. 
“ 1429.”* 

The rectory is valuable, and was in the patronage 
of the bishop of Ely, until the Rev. Dr. Sparke, who 
held this living, was translated to that bishopric, when 
the living for the next turn became vested in the crown, 
who presented the same to the Rev. Dr. Jenkinson, 
dean of Worcester; and the dean having been recently 
preferred to the see of St. David’s, and the deanery 
of Durham, the right of presentation has reverted to 
the lord bishop of Ely, who has in this present year 
(1827) collated the Rev. John Henry Sparke to the 
rectory. By the taxation of pope Nicholas in 1291, 
before mentioned,'f Leverington is charged £ 85. 

There are certain lands in the parish applied for the 
purposes of charity, and vested in feoffees, one of 


* Coles’MSS. 


t See page 246» 


LEVERINGTON. 


471 


whom, who undertakes the management for the year, 
is called the town-bailiff, the annual value is at this 
time £290. 10s. Out of the rent of these lands, a 
salary of £ 30. per annum is given to a schoolmaster 
for educating poor children ; Mr. Leahair is the present 
worthy master, and has sometimes fifty or sixty children 
under his care and instruction, but the average number 
may be fixed at forty. Other parts of these rents are 
applied towards the maintenance of the poor persons in 
the almshouses, and in keeping such buildings in repair; 
and the residue for general purposes relating to the benefit 
of the poor. There is an ancient building in the parish, 
not far from the church, which shews some marks of 
antiquity, called “ the Guild Hall,” in which probably 
the public business of the parish was formerly transacted. 
This is now converted into tenements used as almshouses, 
and occupied by parish paupers. There is a tradition 
of an hospital having once existed in this parish, dedi¬ 
cated to St. John the Baptist,* of which, however, no 
trace now remains, nor even is the site known. 

A decoy for catching wild fowl used formerly to 
be kept in this parish. These decoys are generally 
formed by pools, surrounded by wood, and, branching off 
from them are small canals or ditches, called pipes. At 
the time of catching the fowls, these pipes are covered 
over with nets, which rest on hoops, and are terminated 
by a drawing net; into these the wild fowl are enticed 
by various devices, but the usual mode is by means of 
a decoy-duck, trained for the purpose: this bird is 
taught to obey the whistle of the decoy-man, who 
tempts it to swim up the trapping tunnel, when he sees 


* There was an old hospital, long since decayed, and the endowment 
swallowed up, as may be collected from bishop Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, 
p. 54. Colei MSS . 


472 


HISTORY OF 


a number of wild birds; these, following the tame one, 
and being led into the channel, are then inclosed and 
taken by the net. In all cases, however, the tame 
duck does not succeed in trepanning the others, when 
the man employs a small dog, which, by swimming about 
among the rushes and reeds, close to the mouth of the 
net, attracts the wild fowl. The general season for 
catching these is from the end of October until February. 

The manor of Fitton before mentioned # is supposed 
to have been anciently held by a family of that name, 
though there is no record of it. Afterwards, it passed 
successively to the Hodes, Lawrences, Everards, and 
Buckworths, the latter of whom were possessed of it in 
1632. An old-fashioned brick building still retains the 
name of Fitton Hall, but it appears to be no longer 
known as a manor. 

-4 

a.d. A chantry heretofore founded was endowed with reve- 
1330. nues for priests to sing mass for the souls of the donors, 
in the reign of Edward III. In 1374, Sir John de 
Holbeck/f Sir Nicholas Lowe, Sir Thomas Howe, and 
Sir William Edward, were chaplains of Leverington 
1459. chantry chapel. In 38th Henry YI. the license for 
celebrating divine service was transferred,^ by permission 
of bishop Gray, to the chapel of 

PARSON DROVE. 

This church or chapel, now dedicated to St. John the 
Baptist, is a large structure, with a nave and side aisles, 
and a tower, with five bells therein. The interior of 

* See page 463. t See page 165. 

? Fitton Hall chantry lands were transferred to Parson Drove. Lyson’s 
Cambridgeshire. 


PARSON DROVE. 


473 


the church was fresh painted and ornamented in 1825, 
under the direction of Mr. Ulyat, the churchwarden, 
when a new window was placed in the east end, repre¬ 
senting the crucifixion, painted on glass by Mr. Peck,* 
and presented by him to the church. The parsonage 
house was rebuilt by the Rev. Mr. Dickinson, the late 
incumbent, about the year 1760. 

The village or township, w r hich goes by the name of 
Leverington Parson Drove, is pleasantly situated about 
seven miles west of Wisbech, and the soil surrounding 
it is most fertile. 

The estate belonging to this chapel consists of a 
messuage, and one hundred and forty-one acres of land, 
in Leverington Parson Drove, Leverington St. Leonard’s, 
and Wisbech, which were vested, after the reformation, 
in feoffees, for the maintenance of the chaplain, together 
with eleven acres and three roods of land, since allotted 
in respect of the said messuage. Some mismanagement 
or misconversion took place in regard to the application 
of the rents of this estate, as appears by the following 
decree. 

On 30th November, 11th William III. (1698) an in¬ 
quisition being held at Wisbech, by virtue of his 
majesty’s commission from the court of Chancery, di¬ 
rected to the lord bishop of Ely, Josiah Colvile, John 


* Mr. Peck, a resident of this village, is one of those useful characters 
of sound understanding, who, by his ability and general knowledge in the 
transaction of all parochial business, renders himself eminently useful, not 
' only to the inhabitants of the village where he resides, but to his surrounding 
neighbours. The compiler is indebted to this gentleman for information 
respecting this township and some of the adjoining villages. 


474 


HISTORY OF 


Bellamy, esq. and others, for inquiring and reformation 
of deceits and breaches of trust, concerning lands, 
tenements, and other things given to charitable uses, 
agreeable to the act of 43d Elizabeth: it was then found 
that a messuage, and divers parcels of land and pasture, 
in Leverington Parson Drove, Leverington St. Leonard’s, 
and Wisbech, in the said isle, containing, by estimation, 
one hundred and forty-one acres, with the appurtenances, 
were theretofore in very ancient times, by some pious and 
charitable donor or donors, given and settled upon divers 
inhabitants of Parson Drove, upon godly and pious uses, 
but who was or were the donor or donors, or to what use 
or uses the same were at first given, the jurors could not 
particularly discover; but that the rents and profits had 
been received by the chapelwardens of Parson Drove, for 
maintaining a curate or chaplain for performing divine 
rites and services in the chapel of Parson Drove, and for 
repairing and upholding the said chapel; and the jurors 
were induced to believe so, because the mother church 
of Leverington was at a great distance from Parson 
Drove, and the way and passage to and from the same 
troublesome and dangerous in the time of winter. Another 
parcel of land, containing eleven acres and three roods, 
had also been then lately allotted to the said messuage, 
by virtue of an act for draining the fens. By this 
inquisition it appeared that the chapelwarden for the 
year 1690 had received the rents of the premises, which 
then amounted to £64. 10s. 2 d.* per annum, but refused 
to make out the account of employment of the full 
rents and profits for the purposes of the charity, and 
did account only for £20. per annum to the minister, 
and other disbursements for the repairing of the chapel, 
quit rents, and other rates and assessments; so that the 

The present rental is upwards of ,£ 300. per annum. 


PARSON DROVE. 


4/0 


jurors believed the chapelwarden had misemployed and 
misconverted much of the monies. The commissioners, 
therefore, on considering the matters, did adjudge and 
declare, that it was the purpose and intent of the donor 
or donors of the said premises, that the same should be 
let yearly at the best advantage and profit that could be 
made, and that the rents should yearly for ever be 
applied in providing and maintaining an able and Jit 
curate or chaplain , to celebrate and perform divine rites 
and services in the said chapel of Parson Drove, and in 
the necessary repairs of the fabrick of the said chapel, 
and in the relief of some indigent, needy, and aged poor 
of the said parish. And it was further decreed, that the 
trustees should every year, with the consent of the 
chaplain, let the said one hundred and forty-one acres, 
and eleven acres and three roods of land, for the best 
and utmost rent and advantage, and receive the rents, 
and employ the same, with the consent oj' the chaplain, 
to the uses thereafter expressed, viz. so much as should 
be needful should be employed in and about the repairs 
and upholding the said fabric of the said chapel, and also 
so much more, not exceeding in one year forty shillings, 
for relief of four poor aged persons, and the remainder 
of the said rents, after deduction made of disbursements 
for quit rents, rates, taxes, assessments, charges oj' repairs, 
and other necessary allowances, should be yearly paid 
over to the chaplain. And the trustees should yearly 
make up their accounts of all receipts and disbursements, 
unto seven persons, thereby appointed supervisors and 
auditors, or three at least of them; and if any difference 
arose, touching the repairing or upholding the chapel, 
the same should be settled by the supervisors or any 
three. Power is also given to appoint ten of the in¬ 
habitants of the hamlet to act as trustees, subject to 


476* 


HISTORY OF 


the above rules concerning the charity, and when five of 
the trustees should be dead, the survivors, at the request 
of the curate or chaplain, or two or more inhabitants, 
should appoint other five. The chaplain is to be nomi¬ 
nated by the supervisors and auditors, or three at least 
of them, and by the trustees for the time being, or the 
greater number, with three supervisors at least, and ap¬ 
proved of by the lord bishop of Ely. Provision is 
made for continuing a succession of supervisors and 
auditors, and likewise for ten trustees. The supervisors 
and auditors appointed in 1811 were 

Sir James Duberley, knight, of Gains Hall, Hunts. 

Richard Reynolds, esq. of Paxton, ditto. 

Lawrence Reynolds, esq. of Buckden, ditto. 

James Duberley, esq. eldest son of Sir James. 

Rev. Edward Maltby, D.D. vicar of Holbeach. 

Daniel Barley, gent, of March. 

Edmund Burton, gent, of Doddington. 

The present trustees of the enfeoffed estates are 

Mr. Abraham Ulyat, senior. 

Abraham Ulyat, junior. 

Abraham Ulyat, son of the late Mr. John Ulyat. 

John Johnson. 

James Edgson, junior. 

Richard Gunn. 

A portion of this hamlet still retains the name of 
Trokenholt, * where anciently stood a hermitage or 
chapel. We find it mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle, 


* See page 32. 


PARSON DROVE. 


477 


a. d. (364, # when the famous abbey of Medehamsfcead, 
or Peterborough, was first founded by the king of the 
Mercians, and was given to the monks of Thorney, in 
the reign of Henry Il.f 

Mr. Abraham Ulyat now resides on the site of this 
ancient cell or hermitage, of which there are no remains 
whatever at the present day; but when the present 
house was built in 1802, a few fragments of stone were 
discovered, and several human bones dug out of the 
foundation. At a sessions of sewers held at Wisebeche 
in the 16th Henry VI. (1438) the abbot of Thorney is 
ordered to scour out the sewer of Trokenholt, unto Clow’s 
Cross, in Leverington,J in respect of his lands in Tro- 
kcnholt. 

It has been before stated, that John Bend, by his will, 
in 1593,§ gave a certain cottage and sixteen acres of 
land to the poor of Parson Drove: the land lies in 


* See page 113. 

t Dugdale, p. 367. In 1169, Nigellus, the bishop, gave to the monastery 
of Thorney the hermitage of Trokenholt, formerly called Endewicke, in the 
county of Cambridge, with one square mile of fen, and confirmed it to the 
abbot and convent of Thorney, to place there those who might serve God 
under their control and jurisdiction. This charter king Edward III. after¬ 
wards confirmed in the 22d year of his reign. This place, until the above do¬ 
nation, belonged to the church of Ely, it being expressed in a very ancient 
letter, that this church enjoyed it for 191 years. Afterwards, on account of 
the irruption of the barbarians, it lay for 111 years as it were destroyed by 
their desolation. Afterwards, for 139 years, the abbot of the rule of St. 
Benedict enjoyed it; of whom, Edwin gave permission to one of his monks 
of the name of Trokenholus, to live as a hermit in the place called Ende¬ 
wicke ; so the place laid aside its ancient name, and from that time forth 
was called Trokenholt, which has been continued to the present time. 

J Dugdale, p. 11 7. A stone cross was formerly set up here, at the Old 
or South Eau, the division of the counties of Lincoln and Cambridge. 

$ See page 457". 


47,8 


HISTORY OF 


South Inharn field, and by the inclosure of Parson Drove 
fen, an allotment of seven acres has been added thereto, 
with two acres in Leverington marsh, making together 
twenty-five acres. The cottage devised by such will is 
now become a messuage, used as a public-house, called 
the Butchers’ Arms, which, with the land, is let lor 
£ 100. per annum. This sum is, on new year’s day in 
every year, given to such poor belonging to the parish 
or township, as have resided therein without receiving 
any parochial relief for the space of six years last past, 
according to the donor’s will. 

The inhabitants inclosed a piece of land a few years 
since from the waste, the rent whereof is applied in the 
support of a master to teach the poor children of the 
township to read and write. Mr. Weight is the present 
master. The township maintains its own poor, and has 
a separate overseer and constable, distinct from the parish 
of Leverington. 


The following incumbents appear on record. 

A. D. 

1686 Rev. Peter Pindar, who resigned on his acceptance of 
the curacy of Wisbech St. Peter’s. He married the 
widow of the Rev. Mr. Herring, rector of Walsoken, 
and father of the archbishop. 

1692 Rev. Henry Pujolas w r as curate for sixty years, as ap¬ 
pears by his tomb-stone in the chapel yard, and was 
buried 3d October 1749, aged 98. 

1749 Rev. John Dickinson, who died in 1790, at the age of 
83, rebuilt the parsonage house about the year 1760, 
and was succeeded in 

1790 By Rev. Richard Pollard, the present incumbent or 
chaplain, who was appointed by the honourable James 
Yorke, then bishop of Ely, as to a lapsed benefice. 








**• 













'■ i 























































































































NEWTON. 


The number of inhabitants, according to the population 
returns in 1821, was as follows: 



Males. 

Females. 

Total. 

In Leverington .. 


434 

848 

In Parson Drove ... 

.362 

313 

675 


NEWTON 


Is a small village in the hundred, and four miles north 
of the town, of Wisbech, on the left of the road leading 
from thence to Long Sutton. The church, which is dedi¬ 
cated to the honour of St. James, is a decent structure, 
with a nave and side aisles, a spacious chancel, and 
the floor neatly paved. The tower has six bells. * 
The north aisle is said to have been erected by the 
ancient family of Colvile, and the southern was after¬ 
wards erected at the expense of Jeffrey Wantling, who 
espoused the cause of the parliament in the time of 
Oliver Cromwell: the east end of the north aisle is 
railed off, and incloses a burial place of the Colvile 
family, about eighteen feet in depth; but, notwith¬ 
standing the many years that the family lived here, 
there is not a monument in the church to them; and 
even this part where they bury is in a manner un¬ 
paved. Two ancient brass helmets, which appear 
to have been formerly much decorated, still remain 
there, with two escutcheons, f which seems as if 
there had been heretofore some care taken about the 


* The bells were taken down and re-cast in 1786. The weight of the 
old bells was 37 cwt. 18 lbs.; of the new, 38 cwt. 3 qrs. 2 lbs. the total cost 
whereof was <£ 98. 6s. 9d. 

t The honour of the dead grew by the solemnity and state of the funeral, 
and by the erecting monuments to the memory of him that was buried, as 
what armours, swords, helmets, and such like ensigns of honour, appertained 
to him. Hearne's Discourses , vol. i. 




480 


HISTORY OF 


burial place of the family. In 1527 one William 
Thornborough gave twenty shillings to buy a canopy 
for the high altar.* Five arches support the roof of 
the building, which has been heretofore highly orna¬ 
mented, the remains of gilding being still to be seen. 
Over the arches are several sentences from scripture, 
painted by John Lumpkin, gent, in 1719, who died in 
the year 1761, at the age of 90, and lies buried in the 
north aisle, having been churchwarden fifty-two years. 
The pulpit and reading desk are neat. The windows 
have been heretofore decorated with painted glass; 
remnants were preserved until very lately, particularly 
on the south-east side, in which were two figures, and a 
scroll from their mouths: “Orate pro animabus—Colvile.” 
A large arch at the east end divides the chancel from the 
nave, with a screen, which, if entirely taken away, would 
add considerably to the general good effect of the interior, 
or even its removal to the west end would be an im¬ 
provement. The altar stands on three steps, railed in. 
Several stones lie in the chancel without any inscription, 
but it is probable they have been disrobed. In the 
middle aisle are several very ancient monumental stones, 
now defaced, some of which appear to have been origi¬ 
nally ornamented with brass; there is one dedicated to 
Anne, daughter of Richard Stone, knight, and wife of 
Richard Colvile, esq. lying opposite to the reading desk, 
with the following inscription : 

“ Csetera magnificis ditescant templa sepulchris, 

“ Nostra satis ditas ossibus, Anna, tuis.” 

In the chancel is a neat mural monument to the memory 
of Samuel Taylor, gent, who died 26th March 1806, 
aged 50. 

* Coles’ MSS. 


the lineal descent of the COLVILES, OF CARLETON COLVILE, SUFFOLK, 
AND OF NEWTON COLVILE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 


GILBERT DE COLVYLE came over with William the Conqueror. 
Robert, whose arms were a cross fletxr, gules, on a field argent. 


Gilbert. Temp. Stephen 
and Henry II. 

Sir Robert. Temp. Richard I. 

Sir Henry, six years sheriff 
of Cambridge and Huntingdon. 
Temp. Henry Ill. 


Philip, lived at Stanton, went into Scotland, 
from whom descended the family of Lord 
Colvile of Culross. He defended the Castle of 
Gloucester in 1263, 53d Henry III. Hence 
Lord Colvile of Ochiltree. 


Robert, Baron Colvile of 
Castle Bitham, 
Lincolnshire. 


Sir Roger, sheriff of Norfolk and 
Suffolk, 31st Henry III. married 
Galiena Walpole, (the king, Henry 
III. then present). 

Sir Roger, of Carleton Colvile, 
married Desiderata, daughter of 
Jeffrey de Marisco, about 1240, 
sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk 
in 1264, Lord of Newton, &c.awl 
liis descendants resided at Newton 
Hall until the same was sold in 1792. 

Sir Jeffrey married Margaret 
Talmage, 1317, with whom he re¬ 
ceived Homages, &c. in Wells 
and Sunsmathe. 

Sir John, (1360) died in battle in 
France with the victorious army of 
Edward III. seized of the manors of 
Newton, Tid, &c. 


Sir John, son and heir, married 
Alice, daughter of Sir John 
de Lisle. In 1386, he was appointed, 
with two others in the county 
of Cambridge, to proclaim that no 
graziers or sellers of cattle, horses, 

&c. should sell them at a higher 
price than usual: died 1393, 
leaving a son. 

Sir John Colvile, in 8th Henry TV. 
(1406) married Emma, daughter of Sir 
John Wythe, was governor of Wisbech 
castle in 1410, had a patent to found 
a chantry in the chapel of St. Mary, 
in Newton : he died in 1425. 


William accompanied 
John, duke of Lan¬ 
caster into Spain, 9th 
Richard II. 1385. 


Laurence. 


Sir John Colvyle = Anna. 


Thomas. 


Francis Colvyle = Jane, his wife, survived him, 
and was buried in the Au¬ 
gustine Friars of Lynn, near 
to her husband, anno. 1509. 


Richard. 


Thomas. 


Richard married Eleonora, daughter 
of Sir John Ilevingham, justice 
of peace, temp. Henry VII. 

I 

Jeffrey married Katherine, daughter of 
Sir John Hind, of Madingley, Cam¬ 
bridgeshire ; he sold the manor of Street: 
died in 1575, leaving his son and heir. 

John married Ann, daughter and heiress 
of Nicholas Pinchbeck, of Pinchbeck, 
Lincolnshire. He was buried at Newton. 

Richard married Mary, daughter of Sir 
Thomas Bernardiston, ofKetton, Suffolk. 


Sir Thomas married Alice, daughter of Sir 
William Spencer, of Yamton, Oxfordshire, 
was sheriff of Cambridgeshire : died 
S.P. 1611. 


Richard succeeded his brother Thomas, married 
Sarah, daughter of Sir John Lawrence, of Iver, 
Bucks., bart. died in 1650 ; he was buried at 
Chelsea, and left eight sons and two daughters. 


John died unmarried. 


William, justice of peace for Cambridgeshire, 
married Ann, daughter of Sir Richard Stone, 
of Stukeley, Hunts, died S.P. He was buried 
in Newton church, middle aisle, 13th July 
1680, was succeeded by his nephew, the 

eldest son of Jeffrey._ 


Jeffrey. 


Richard married Frances, daughter of 
Thomas Carter, lord mayor of York. 


Robert=Ann, daughter of = 
Wm. Whiting. 


-Daughter 

cf David W aite. 


Richard = Elizabeth, daughter of 
Nathaniel Acton, esq. of Bramford 
Hall, Suffolk. 


Robert, of Newton Colvile = Amelia, eldest 
daughter of Sir Charles Asgill, bart. 


thaniel Colvile, D D. residing 
at Lawsliall. 


Sir Charles Henry married Harriet Anne, 
daughter and heiress of fhomas Porter 
Bonell.esq. heir to t >e fa'n T Porter and 
Coa e • resi ■ 1) id : !> rbysMre. 


Frederick married Margaret, 
sister of Chandos Leigh, esq. 
of Stoneleigh Abbey. 


Augustus Asgill 
(in holy orders'). 


Robert Henry 
(Sd guards). 


rV-s R .,bcit, born 1813. 


Anne Amelia 


Constance Harriet. 























































. - . . . . 












* 





. , 


' 













' 

. 












' 







- 













































NEWTON. 


481 


The communion plate belonging to the church is very 
handsome, the gift of which is commemorated by the 
following entry in the parish register: “ Memorandum, 
“ That in the year 1674, Sir John Co’ell and Mr. John 
“ Larry, executors of the Rt. Rev. Father in God, 
“ Benjamin, lord bishop of Ely, did give to the parish 
u church of Newton, within the isle of Ely, the com- 
“ munion plate of the said bishop, namely, one gilt 
“ flagon, one gilt chalice and cover, and one gilt patin, 
“ for the use of the said parish in the holy communion. 
xt All which plate are now delivered in the custody of 
<( the churchwardens of the said parish on 20th April 
“ 1675. 


“ Hen. Drew, ^ 
“ Thos. Blaxby, 3 


Churchwardens .” 


The flagon is large and handsome, holding in measure 
three quarts, and stands about eight inches high. 


The bishop of Ely is patron of the living : the present 
incumbent is the Rev. Dr. Peter Sandiford,* a man of 
considerable talent and learning. By pope Nicholas’ 
taxation in 1291,f the living was charged at £40. and 
is valued in the king’s books at £ 18. 14s. 8f d. The 
following rectors appear on record since 1600. 

A. D. 

1619 William Lawrence. 

1625 John Cropley, D.D. prebendary of Ely. 

* This respectable divine was of Corpus Cliristi college, Cambridge. 

B. A. 1771; M.A. 1774 ; was chosen fellow in 1778, and was presented by 

that society to the livings of Fulmodestone and Thurning, in Norfolk. In 
1795, he was elected professor of astronomy in Gresham college ; was 
chaplain to archbishop Moore at the time of his death, and in 1810, was 
collated by his cotemporary, bishop Dampier, to the valuable rectory of 
Newton, on which he vacated the living of Thurning. Nicholls ’ Literary 
Anecdotes, vol. viii. p. 209. t See page 240. 


HISTORY OF 


482 

A. D. 

1638 Robert Bedingfield, D.D. 

1653 John Padson. 

1654 Thomas Sea, who was succeeded by Keene. 

- John Crofts, S.T,P. dean of Norwich. 

1675 Nicholas Felton. 

1677 Richard Oldman, A.M. fellow of St. John’s college, 
Cambridge. 

1678 Samuel Blyth, A.M. master of Clare-hall, Cambridge. 

1714 Robert-S.T.P. archdeacon of Norwich. 

1716 Thomas Cole, S.T.P. fellow of King’s college, Cam¬ 
bridge, dean of Norwich, and rector of Rainham, 
Norfolk. 

1730 Brock Rand, A.M. also rector of Leverington. 

1753 William Graves, also rector of Leverington. 

1783 Joseph Plumtree. 

1810 Peter Sandiford, D.D. also rector of Fulmodestone 
with Croxton, in the county of Norfolk. 

The manor of Newton continued in the Colvile family 
from nearly the time of the conquest until the year 
1792, when it was sold by Robert Colvile, esq. and now 
belongs to Steed Girdles tone, esq. of Wisbech. 

The family of Colvile is one of the most distinguished 
and ancient in this part of the country, of which Sir 
Charles Colvile, of Duffield Hall, in Derbyshire, is now r 
the surviving representative. The original ancestor, 
Gilbert de Colvile, or Colvyle, (Gilbertus de Colavilla) 
came from Normandy, as a commander in the army of 
William the Conqueror. # Lands were given to him in 


* See copy of the roll of Battel Abbey, which contains a catalogue of the 
noblemen, lords, and gentlemen, who came into the land with William the 
Conqueror, wherein will be found the name of Colvile, amore full account 
whereof is given in the description of Hagbech Hall, and the family of Sir 
Henry Peyton, baronet. 




NEWTON. 


483 


Suffolk, which he held under the baron Robert Malet, 
viz. lands in Carleton, Stokerland, Kessingland, Renles- 
ham, Riscemere, Merelesham, and Isleham, in Cam¬ 
bridgeshire.* The name was derived from a castle on 
a hill: Col-vile. Vile, in ancient French, was castle: 
towns were the dependants of castles. A town in 
Normandy is still called Colvile. Robert de Colvile 
occurs in the time of Henry I., who had a son, Gilbert 
de Colvile, living in the time of Stephen and Henry II.; 
his brother Philip went into Scotland; he took for his 
arms, a cross muline gules on a field argent, as is now 
born by his descendant, lord Colvill , of Culross, adding 
the second final ‘ according to the modern way of 
spelling i villein his time, the Colviles, who became 
barons Colvile, of Castle Bitham, Lincolnshire, separated 
from this family. Sir Henry de Colvile was for six years 
sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, com¬ 
mencing 21st Henry III. (1236); his son, Sir Roger, 
was sheriff for Norfolk and Suffolk,f 51st Henry III.; 
he married Galiena Walpole, the king having honoured 
this marriage hy his presence; he was lord of the manor 
of Carleton Colvile, 8tc. with many privileges and liber¬ 
ties, which his ancestors possessed from the conquest. 
Sir Roger de Colvile, about 1240, married Desiderata, 
daughter and heiress of Jeffrey de Marisco, or Marsh, 
who was lord of Newton, Walsoken, Tid St. Giles, 8ic. 
a great part of which lands were held by the Colvile family 
from that period until the alienation in 1792. In the early 

* See Domesday Book. 

t Only one sheriff was appointed for the two counties of Norfolk and 
Suffolk, until 18th Elizabeth, (1576) when the usage was for the crown to 
appoint one year out of the gentlemen of Norfolk, and the next out of 
Suffolk, and so alternately, as is now the custom in Cambridgeshire and 
Huntingdonshire. 


484 


HISTORY OF 


part of the reign of Edward I. Sir Roger received the arms 
now worn by the family.* * * § Sir John de Colvile accom¬ 
panied Edward III. with his victorious army to France, 
and there died in battle. His eldest son married Alice, 
sister and heiress of Sir John de Insula, or de Lisle, of 
Kent, who was heir of Sir William de Rustyn ; by this 
marriage he obtained the manors of Wymondham, 
Cungham, Sudleschund, and Audmere; he left a son, 
Sir John, who married Emma, daughter and co-heiress 
of Sir John Wythe, of Norfolk, by Sybill, his wife, 
daughter and heiress of Edmund de St. Omer.T In the 
year 1410, he was appointed by the lord bishop of Ely 
to succeed Sir John de Rochford as governor of Wisbech 
castle.J He likewise built the chapel of St. Mary at 
Newton, and founded the college hereafter mentioned. 
A Sir John Colvile of the date of 1405 joined the 
rebellion of the earl of Northumberland and the northern 
chiefs, and was beheaded.§ This gentleman was most 
probably of the Scotch branch , as Sir John, of whom 
we are now speaking, received a pension from the kings 
of England, viz. Henry IV., V., and VI. A bull from 
pope Boniface, dated in 1404, to Sir John, still remains 
in possession of the family. There used to be a repre¬ 
sentation of this knight in one of the south windows of 
Newton church, with his wife near him. Sir Thomas Colvile 
was sheriff of Cambridgeshire 7th Charles I. : he had 
a brother Richard, who left eight sons and two daughters; 
he died in 1650, and was succeeded by William Colvile, 

* See the description of these arms at the conclusion of this account of 

the family. 

t See roll of Battel Abbey. } See page 130. 

§ See Shakspeare’s Cd Part King Henry IV.; act iv. scene 7.: “ Send 
“ Colvile, then, with his confederates, to York, to present ex^rufirai,” &c'\ 
AKo Hardinge Chronicles. 


NEWTON. 


485 


who married Ann, daughter of Sir Richard Stone, of 
Stukeley, Hunts., and took an active part in support 
of Charles I. It was the custom in those divided times 
for the partizans of king Charles to carry certain tokens 
about with them, and if all the company produced one, 
conversation became free. These tokens consisted of a 
piofile of Charles, engraved in the manner of a seal, 
fixed upon a small handle, to be worn in the pocket, 
the seal bearing an impression of two angels uniting the 
hearts of Charles and his subjects, one of which in silver, 
being preserved, is now in the possession of the present 
Sir Charles Henry Colvile. The above William having 
died without issue, and his next brother Jeffrey being 
also dead, w r as succeeded by the eldest son of the latter, 
viz. his nephew Richard, who married Frances, the 
daughter of Thomas Carter, esq. lord mayor of York. 
His grandson Richard married Elizabeth, only daughter 
of Nathaniel Acton, esq. of Eramford Hail, Suffolk, 
with whom lie received Hemingstone Hall, in Suffolk, 
where he resided during the life of his father. The last 
named Richard had two sons; Robert married Amelia, 
eldest daughter of Sir Charles Asgill, bart. and Nathaniel 
Colvile, D. D. residing at Lawshall, Suffolk; which 
Robert left four sons, the eldest of whom, Sir Charles 
Henry, now resides at Duffield Hall, in Derbyshire, 
havincr married Harriet Anne, daughter and heiress of 
Thomas Porter Bonell, esq. heir to the families of 
Porter and Coape, by whom he has one son, born 30th 
March 1815, and two daughters, Anne Amelia, and 
Constance Harriet, and, as a singular coincidence, the 
son was born on the very same day of the month, same 
day of the week, and almost at the same hour, as his 
mother. Subjoined is a pedigree, which will better 
elucidate the descent of this ancient family. 

2 h 2 




486 


HISTORY OF 


In the reign of Henry IV. Sir John Colvile founded 
a college in the parish of Newton, and had a patent 
to endow it with £40. per annum; the ancient endow¬ 
ment was as follows: “ Collegium perpetuum qua- 

u tuor Capellanorum quatuor Clericorum, et decern 
“ pauperum, et quorum quidem, Capellanorum unus 
“ esset magister sive custos.” It w r as called the college 
of St. Mary by the sea coast, for four chaplains, four 
clerks, and ten poor men.* The first statutes given by 
the founder are dated 18th June 1411, in which they 
are to pray for him and Emma, his wife. These statutes 
he reformed himself 4th June 1446, a little before his 
death. There are no remains of this college, but the 
site is well authenticated to be a little west of, and ad¬ 
joining to, the glebe land of the rectory house, at a short 
distance from the old Roman bank. After the reform¬ 
ation, the lands belonging to this college or chapel 
were annexed to the rectory.f The Colvile family kept 
up a residence at Newton Hall from the period when 
Sir Roger de Colvile married Desiderata, in the time of 
Henry III., for a succession of above 500 years, until 
Robert Colvile, esq. in 1792, sold this ancient property 
to Mr. Redin. The old hall has been taken dowm, and 
a substantial farm house erected on the site, by Mr. 
Redin in 1807, which, with a considerable portion of 


* One of the chaplains, who served the parish church, had £ 5. 6s. 8 J. 
per annum ; the other one hundred shillings ; the clerks forty shillings and 
fourpence, and the poor men, who lived in a house called the Bede House, 
sixpence per week each and clothes. 

t The lands belonging to Newton rectory lie in the parishes of Newton, 
Parson Drov Wisbech St. Peter’s and St. Mary’s, Elm, Walsokeu, West 
Walton, Emneth, and l id St. Giles, containing together 398 acres ; this is 
transcribed from the town terrier, in the hand writing of Mr. John Lumpkin, 
dated 1712, who, from various parish documents, appears to have been a 
very praise-worthy and useful man. See page 480. 


TID ST. GILES. 


4H7 


the old estate, was sold to Mr. John Edward Todd, of 
London, in 1823. The crest, which used to be over the 
gateway of the old hall, now constitutes the sign of the 
public house in the parish ; it is a lion passant in carved 
wood, and the house by some is called the White Lion, 
and by others the Colvile Arms. Certain Roman coins 
ol the emperor Gallienus were found in the parish about 
forty years since. There are no public benefactions in 
the parish; but an annual sum of money is paid to a 
schoolmistress, for teaching the poor boys and girls of the 
village in useful reading and work, of which the parish 
pays £7. 18s. and the rector £2. 2s. making together 
£ 10. The school is held in the vestry of the church. 

The arms of Colvile, as born since the time of Edward 
I. are as under: 

A lion rampant argent on a shield azure, a label with 
five points gules, the whole width of the shield. 
Crest, a lion statant argent, with an extended tail, 

wearing a collar of three points gules on a chapeall 
# 

The population of Newton in 1801 was 283; in 1811, 
311; and in 1821, 368, viz. 179 males, and 189 females; 
comprised in 76 families, inhabiting 61 houses. 

TID SAINT GILES, 

A village adjoining to Newton, and lying not only at 
the most northern part of the isle of Ely, but of the 
whole county of Cambridge; so called, because the tide 
at some period came in hither. It borders in part 

* See page 48-1. 



488 


HISTORY OF 


upon the shire drain, which divides the county ol 
Cambridge from Lincolnshire. The church, dedicated 
to St. Giles, is a rectory in the deanery and hundred of 
Wisbech, and standsrated in the king’s books at £21. 135. 
It is a good neat structure, with a square embattled 
tower, containing a ring of five bells, and stands about 
fifty feet from the body of the church at the east 
end, which is very unusual. The pillars of the nave 
incline to the west, which induce some persons to 
suppose that a tower did once support that end of the 
church. The altar stands on an eminence of two steps, 
but not railed in. The chancel is of modern erection, 
built about seventy years since, when particular 
attention was given to discover whether the present tower 
was ever connected with the church, but the foundation 
showed no marks that any former building ever existed 
to unite the tower therewith. The roof has several 
projecting figures of angels and saints, rudely carved 
in wood. At the foot of the altar steps, exactly in 
the middle, w as an old grey marble with the half figure 
of a priest in brass on it, but no inscription. The nave 
is separated from the chancel by a screen. In the 
middle aisle of the church is a gravestone with a large 
cross on it, and the following fragment of an inscription 
in old Gothic characters all round it, which appears to 
belong to the thirteenth century, though it bears no 
certain evidence of exact date; such part of it as 

is perfect is “ Orate pro anima dni John Fysner- 

“ aie de ppiciet. Amen.” In the windows of the north 
aisle used to be some old painted glass, and in the same 
aisle are two ancient slabs, appearing to have once had 
figures in brass. In front of the communion table is a 
handsome marble slab to the memory of the Rev. Richard 
Oswin, who died in 1795, aged 75. At the west end, 
on the north side, is a recent monumental marble to the 



TID ST. GILES. 


489 


Eev. Timothy Matthews, rector of the parish, who died 
in August 1821, aged 52, and of his wife, who died 
in November following, aged 50.. The lord bishop of 
Ely is patron of this living, which, by pope Nicholas’ 
taxation, # was charged at £ 42. The font is 
entitled to notice, being of the later Gothic style, 
octagonal, and richly ornamented with tracery, 
carved with emblems of the passion, and arms of the 
see of Ely. Nicholas Breakspear is said to have been 
curate here, who, for planting Christianity in Norway, 
was made a cardinal a. d. 1154, and afterwards became 
pope, under the name of Adrian IV. There is a tradition 
that a market was once held in an open space in the 
front of the public house called the Carpenters’ Arms, 
but the authority seems doubtful. The manor in the 
fourteenth century was in the ancient family of Colvile, 
before-named in the account of Newton,f and afterwards, 
in the year 1637, came by purchase into theTrafford family, 
which originally came from Lancashire. This manor 
was sold in the time of the great rebellion in 1648, to 
one Davies, for £472. 11s.; but afterwards reverted to 
the family of Trafford. In the manor house belonging to 
the late Mr. Tralford, occupied by Mr. Scribo, at the 
north-east of the church, on the other side of the road, 
were several arms beautifully painted in a chamber 
window. J Sigismund Trafford, esq. who made consider¬ 
able purchases in this parish, came last from Asterby, 
near Horncastle, in the county of Lincoln : he married, 
first, Elizabeth, the daughter of Gilbert Heathcote, esq. 
lord mayor of London secondly, lady Pratt, the widow 
)f Sir Roger Pratt, of Riston Hall, Norfolk: she died 


* See page 246. t See page 483. t Coles’ MSS. 

§ Nicliolls’ History of the Gentleman’s Society at Spalding, p. 38. 


490 


HISTORY OF 


in the 63d year of her age, and a monument was erected 
to her memory in Riston church by Sigismund Trafford. 
He rebuilt Dunton Hall,* on the north side of Shire 
Drain, at the expense of £ 22,000. on the model ot 
Buckingham House, in St. James’ Park,T before it was 
altered and enlarged by his present majesty. This mansion 
was left to Sigismund Boehm, the son of his niece Ann 
Boehm, who died in the year 1740, at the early age of 48, 
whereupon, Clement, the second son of the last-named 
Sigismund, who took the name of Trafford agreeably to 
his great uncle’s will, and was admitted of Corpus Christi 
college, Cambridge, about 1755, inherited the estates, and 
after being some years in possession, pulled down the 
mansion house in the year 1767, and sold the materials for 
£ 1000. but removed the family pictures and painted glass 
to his seat at Stoke, in Norfolk. Events of this kind 
lead the mind into reflections on the vicissitude and 
instability of human grandeur! Mr. Clement Trafford 
married Miss Southwell, sister of Edward Southwell, esq. 
of Wisbech castle, about the year 1760, and in the fol¬ 
lowing year was knighted : he died in 1786, leaving one 
daughter, Jane, and one son, Sigismund Trafford, esq. 
who, after his mother’s decease, added the surname of 
of Southwell, conformably to her will, and now resides 
at Wroxham Hall, in the county of Norfolk.J At the 
death of lady Trafford, relict of Sir Clement, in the year 
1807, the principal estate was divided and sold in separate 
farms, The family of Trafford is very ancient, and the 

* “ Dunton Hall,” says Stukeley, “ in the parish of Tidd, had been 
“ magnificently rebuilt by Sigismund Trafford, esq. who lias likewise en- 
“ closed a considerable park with a brick wall.” The park was about a 
mile and a half in circumference, stocked with deer, &c. 

•f See engraving. 

t This gentleman died at his seat at Wroxham Ilall, Norfolk, on 1st 
August 1827. 










V 




•: 












* 








‘ 


Ob # 













\ 



































































TID ST. GILES. 


491 


origin of the motto on their arms is peculiar and curious. # 
The arms are a labouring man in a party-coloured coat, 
with a flail in his hand, thrashing, and this written 
motto: “Now thus,” which is said to have been obtained 
on the following occasion: the ancestor having intelli¬ 
gence that William the Conqueror had given his lands 
unto one of his Norman knights, and understanding on 
what day this knight would come to take possession 
thereof, he apparelled himself very meanly, and was 
found by the knight thrashing in his barn, and when 
demanded why he so abased himself, he gave no other 
answer than “ Now thus ; ” whereupon, the knight, 
thinking the living so poor that it would not maintain 
him like a gentleman, compromised with Trafford for a 
small matter, and begged a better estate from the king. 
“ Now thus ” is still the motto of the family. About 
the time of the great undertaking for draining the level, 
some attempts were made for reclaiming the fens be¬ 
longing to this and the adjoining parishes. In 1632, 
an agreement was made by the land-owners with Henry 
Dereham, of London, esq. for draining and keeping the 
water one foot below the soil, and for his charges therein, 
he was to receive two fifth parts of the grounds so 
drained, to be secured to him and his heirs for ever: 
the said agreement was fully ratified by a decree made 
at Wisbech upon the 20th September in the same year, 
at a session of sewers there held; but nothing effectual 
appears to have been done until 1773, when an act of 
parliament was obtained for draining Tid. St Giles and 


* Such mottos were not used in England before the conquest, and one 
of the most ancient is said to be Traford’s, or Trafford’s, in Lancashire. 
Hear tie's Ancient Curiosities . 


492 


HISTORY OF 


Newton, in the county of Cambridge, with part of Tid 
St. Mary’s, in the county of Lincoln; by the powers 
and provisions of which act, additional engines were 
erected, and a large tract of land brought under cul¬ 
tivation. 

Robert Brigstock, of this place, husbandman, by 
a deed dated April 13th 1667, gave, for the benefit and 
advantage of the poor inhabitants, the rents and profits 
arising from several pieces of land, amounting together 
to thirteen acres and three roods. And Matthew 
Wren, esq. by his will made “The 19th day of May 
“ 1672, on board the Royal Prince, in sight of the 
“ Dutch fleet,* in expectation of fighting with them in 
“ a few hours,” gave for the use of the poor, fifteen 
acres of marsh land, held under lease of twenty-one 
years from his late father, Matthew, lord bishop of Ely, 
annually paying the reserved rent of one shilling and 
fourpence farthing per acre, which sum is still continued 
to be paid. These united charities were let by public 
auction for the term of seven years from Lady-day 1824, 
producing an annual rent of £74. 14s., which is given 
away in the parish vestry, according to ancient usage, at 
or near unto the feasts of Easter and St. Thomas the 
Apostle in every year, to such poor and deserving people, 
as have lived without parochial relief since the distri¬ 
bution of the previous dole. 


* This was the period when the Dutch fleet, under the command of 
De Ruyter, fell in with the English in Solebay, the duke of York high 
admiral. The earl of Sandwich lost his life in this engagement, but left 
behind him a name immortal, and which will ever be revered by such as 
esteem the valour of an officer, the capacity of a statesman, or the integrity 
of a patriot. Campbell's Admirals, vol. ii. p. 391. 


ELM. 


493 


The present trustees of these charities are 

John Peck, of Parson Drove. 

Thomas Watkinson, of Tid St. Giles. 

Edward Cross, of Wisbech. 

Joseph Bonn Griffin, of the same place. 

In the register of this parish is the following entry 
amongst the marriages: “ 1713. Thomas Wiles, aged 
“ 105, was married to Susanna Johnson, both of this 
“ parish, July 1st.” 

The population returns in 1821 give the following num¬ 
ber of inhabitants : males 393, females 388, total, 781. 


Baptisms. Marriages. Burials. 


In 1559 13 15 12 

1600 26 9 20 

1700 33 12 27 


ELM 

Is a pleasant village, about two miles south-east of 
Wisbech, and in Domesday book is called “ Helle,” but 
is said by many to have taken its name from the number 
of elm trees with which it formerly abounded. The 
elm is indigenous to England, and may be said to claim 
rank in beauty and utility next to the oak. A plant 
called the Glycyrrhiza Vulgaris, or Common Liquorice, 
used to be grown here in good quantity. # Between 
this village and Wisbech St. Peter’s, there formerly 
stood a hospital for lepers, which, in ancient records, is 


* Camden, page 418. 





494 


HISTORY OF 


mentioned as the boundary between the two parishes. v 
These hospitals were generally erected at the extremity 
of towns, probably because the leprosy was an infectious 
disease. In the Old Testament, we read of the lepers 
being expelled the community of the Jews. This disease 
was once so frequent in England, that there was scarcely 
a town of note but what had a leper house belonging 
to it; yet, what is very extraordinary, the disease has 
now nearly vanished from Europe. It was supposed 
to have originated in the poor living so much upon 
fish its disappearance is attributed by medical men 
to the frequent use of tea, J and the wearing of linen next 
the skin. 

Elm, with the chapelry of Emneth, in the county of 
Norfolk, thereto annexed, has a rectory and vicarage, 
both of which are in the patronage of the see of Ely. 
The rectory is a sinecure. By pope Nicholas’ taxation,§ 
they are thus charged: Ecclia de Elm cu capella do 
Emneth, <£17. 

* Dugdale, page 315. 

t Wherever the wages of the poor are reduced to the lowest limits, they 
must of necessity live on the coarsest and scantiest fare. Men placed 
under such circumstances are without any sufficient motive to he indus¬ 
trious, and, instead of activity and enterprize, we shall have sloth and 
ignorance. A too low rate of wages, by rendering it impossible for in¬ 
creased endeavours to obtain any considerable increase of comforts and 
enjoyments, effectually hinders exertions from ever being made, and is, of 
all others, the most powerful cause of the idleness and apathy which 
contents itself with what can barely continue animal existence. If the 
condition of labourers be too much depressed, the prosperity of the other 
classes can rest on no solid or secure foundation : the labourers always form 
the great bulk of society. 

X “ 25th December 1660, I did send for a cup of tee, (a China drink jr 
“ of which I had never drank before a proof of the novelty of tea drinking. 
Forsyth’s Antiquities, vol. ii. p. 305. $ Page 246. 


ELM. 


495 


«£• $• d. 

Value of the rectory in the king’s books 17 10 0| 

Vicarage . 14 15 10 

The church of Elm is dedicated to All Saints; the 
chapel of Emneth to St. Edmund. The church is a noble 
large building, with a grand tower at the west end, built 
in a Gothic cathedral fashion, and adorned with carved 
work, with four small pinnacles at the corners, &c. and a 
small lead spire. In it hang five bells. There is a very 
handsome arch at the west end, by which you enter a 
door into the belfry. It has a spacious nave with two 
side aisles, a north porch, and chancel, all leaded. The 
altar stands upon three steps and is railed round. The 
chancel has four lancet windows; and coronets under the 
north stalls were painted as if done at the expense of the 
bishop of Ely.* Over the communion table are written 
the Lord’s prayer, the creed, and the ten commandments. 
In the year 1250, Nicholas, archdeacon of Ely, granted 
to Walter de Tylneye and his heirs, leave to build a 
chapel on his own premises in the marsh at Elm, for 
the celebration of divine service, the chaplain officiating 
therein to be approved by the rector; the family to attend 
divine service in the mother church on the six principal 
festivals in the year, and all the rights of the said church 
to continue inviolate. This permission, and the condition 
on which it was granted, were confirmed by Hugo de 
Northwold, bishop of Ely, on 21st April 1254. This, 
probably, was St. Christopher’s chapel, near Berryal field, 
where Sayers field, and Cotton’s common, in Outwell, 
join; which is mentioned by Dugdalef in the description 
of certain ancient sewers, ordered to be cleaned out in 


* Coles’ MSS. 


t Dugdale, p. 348. 



496 


HISTORY OF 


the year 1589. In 1339 Robert Hakebeach obtained of 
the bishop a licence for celebrating divine service in his 
oratory, within the parish of Elm, for three years.* In 
1343, Simon de Montacute, bishop of Ely, dedicated 
the church at Elm, celebrated divine mass therein, 
and ordained three acolytes or subdeacons.f In 1406 
there were four stipendiary chaplains in the church of 
Elm cum Emneth, viz. Dominus Rogerus Capellanus, 
Dominus Henricus Derham, Dominus Alexander Mav 
ner, and Dominus Ricardus Albald.j In the grants of 
queen Elizabeth, there is one mentioned in the forty- 
second year of her reign, whereby she gave up to bishop 
Heton a portion of tithes which she held in Elm, for¬ 
merly the property of lord Essex, of the clear annual 
value of £8. 13s. 4 d. There was formerly another chapel, 
dedicated to St. Giles, at Elm, situated at the distance 
of about a quarter of a mile south-east of the church. 
It appears to have been formerly surrounded by a moat, 
and between the site of the chapel and the church there 
are remains of a wall, and an old arched gate-way, 
which seem to mark the approach to the chapel. 
The ground is irregular and slightly elevated, and the 
site is still known as the Chapel Hill. The land is 
now in the occupation of Mr. William Purrant. A 
road, stopped up within living memory, led to this 
chapel from the east end of the church yard. In 
December 1824, the Rev. Jeremiah Jackson, A. M. was 
collated by the lord bishop of Ely to this vicarage, and 
soon after inducted. The vicar’s right to tithe had been 
for several years questioned, by reason of the variation 
in the custom of payment, although no legal proceedings 
were pursued, so as to bring the case to a satisfactory 

* Muniments of the see. t Reg. Montacute, fo. 7. 

$ Reg. Fordham, fo. 160. 




ELM. 


497 


issue. The present vicar, after his induction, gave 
notice that he did not consider the payments heretofore 
made to his predecesssors to be valid as moduses, which the 
parishioners resisting, a suit was instituted in the court 
of Exchequer for the recovery of the value of the vi¬ 
carial tithes. The suit was of short continuance ; for in 
two years after, viz. on a hearing in Hilary term 1827, 
before the barons, the parishioners were decreed to ac¬ 
count for tithe in kind. Shortly after this decision, 
the vicar called his parishioners together, and proposed 
certain terms as to future payment; which proposals, 
liberal in their offer, were received with satisfaction, 
and the meeting terminated in that mutual harmony, 
good feeling, and unanimity, which ought at all times 
to prevail between a clergyman and his parishioners. 

The following rectors and vicars are found on record: 

j Rectors. 

A.D. 

1250 Walter de Kirkham occurs. 

1254 Nicholas de Ely, afterwards bishop of Winchester. 
1293 Jeffery de Kingston, also rector of Downham in 
the Isle. 

1297 Robert Scarlet. 

1298 Peter de Arskarn. 

1317 and 1339 Henry de Stanton occurs. In lltli 
Edward II. he had a patent to grant a toft by the 
chapel yard, for the chaplains of the chapel, for 
their perpetual habitation given by him. 

1370 William de Petteworth occurs.* 


* William Petteworth, parson of Elm, being disturbed by one Nicholas 
Macham of bis parish, supplicated the king for relief, who ordered the 
sheriff' to clap the said Nicholas in the nearest gaol, until he should answer 
for the same. 4th Richard II. Coles’ MSS, 


498 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

John Copping 
1440 Thomas Reynolds. 

1455 William-domestic chaplain to the bishop ot Ely. 

1464 Thomas Markham, otherwise Throwland, fellow ot St. 
Peter’s college, Cambridge. 

William Read, on Markham’s resignation. 

1467 Thomas Markham, the 2d time. 

1488 Thomas Aleyn, A.M. 

1500 William Doughty, LL.B. chancellor to the bishop. 

1540 Giles Ayre, R.D. prebendary of Ely. 

1552 Raphael Caldebeck. 

1564 Thomas Barkwith. 

1573 Thomas Ithell, LL.D. master of Jesus college, Cam¬ 
bridge, in 1579, prebendary and chancellor of Ely. 

1279 Richard Bridgewater, LL.D. 

1590 Sir Richard Swale, knight, chancellor of Ely. 

1608 Boniface Watts, D.D. 

1616 Roger Andrews, master of Jesus college, Cambridge, 
and prebendary of Ely. 

Daniel Nicholls. 

1641 Robert Dove, A.M. # 

1645 Joseph Beaumont, A.M. master of St. Peter’s college, 
Cambridge. 

1646 Thomas Dove, presented by the parliament.f 

1651 Henry Johnson, A. M. fellow of St. John’s college, 
Cambridge. 


* Whereas the parsonage of Elm cum Emneth is void by the death of 
Robert Dove, clerk, the patronage of which originally was with the bishop 
of Ely, a delinquent,—the lords and commons, to the end that the parish may 
be supplied with a learned, godly, and orthodox divine, have ordered and 
appointed Thomas Dove, A.M. to be minister there. Journals of the House 
of Commons. 

t On this presentment it was ordered that one full moiety of the year’s 
profits, to end at Michaelmas 1646, be allowed to the minister who had 
preached and supplied the cure for the last six months. Journals of the 
House of Commons. Thomas Dove was buried in the chancel at Emneth. 



ELM. 


499 


A • 1) • 

17 00 Robert Tillotson, A.B. fellow of Clare-hall, Cambridge, 
son of the archbishop of that name. 

1738 -Potter, D.D. son of Dr. Potter, archbishop of 

Canterbury, who made the rectory of Elm his option in 
the diocese of Ely, and presented it to his son. 

1770 John Warren, D.D. chaplain to the bishop of Ely, 
vicar of Wisbech, and afterwards successively bishop 
of St. David’s and Bangor. 

-Waddington, D.D. 

1804 George Owen Cambridge, archdeacon of Middlesex, 
and prebendary of Ely. 

Vicars. 

1254 Peter- 

Walter de la More. 

1302 Hugh- 

1376 John Comberbury. 

1393 John Wetyng. 

1401 John Stacey. 

1404 William Aleyn. 

William Stanley. 

1474 Edmund Roray. 

1540 Nicholas Walpole. 

Bernard Huntelly, deprived in 1554. 

1573 Mark Saunders. 

1576 Richard Dowe. 

1578 Robert Linsey. 

1596 - Griffith. 

1599 William Gyles, whose wife, Rachel, was buried at 
Emneth, in the south aisle of the chapel, and is com¬ 
memorated by the following verses, inscribed on a narrow 
brass plate, let into the stone that c v s her remains : 

“ Restauranda die domini fidissima conjux, 

“ Hie sita Gulielmi Gyles, requiesce Rah el.” 

2 i 







500 


HISTORY OF 


A. D. 

1641 William Allanson, A.M. 

1659 John Machin, A.M. 

1660 Henry Johnson, A.M. who had held the rectory from 
1651, and was buried at Elm 15th November 1662. 

1662 Robert Cole, A.M. buried at Elm. 

1669 Charles Danks, A.M. fellow of Jesus college, Cambridge. 

1698 Thomas Mallabar, A.M. 

1709 Thomas Davies, A.M. 

•- Martin Challis, A.M. of Gonvile and Caius college, 

Cambridge. 

1729 Edmund Castle, master of Corpus Christi college, 
Cambridge. 

1731 John Newson, A.M. buried at Elm 7th September 1762. 

1762 Charles Clarke, of Baliol college, Oxford, F. A. S. 
buried at Elm 21st November 1780. 

1780 John Swaine, A.M. of Peter-house college, Cambridge, 
afterwards rector of Stretham, where he died in 1802. 

1784 Caesar Morgan, D.D. successively vicar of Wisbech and. 
rector of Stretham, buried in the cathedral of Ely 1812, 

1790 George Varenne, D.D. died in October 1824. 

1824 Jeremiah Jackson, A.M. of St. John’s college, Cam¬ 
bridge. 

Many respectable persons heretofore resided in this 
village, whose names are recorded by monuments erected 
to their memory within the church. 

In the chancel is a mural monument, on the north 
side, to the Rev. Charles Clarke, F.S.A. collated to the 
vicarage in 1762, and died in the year 1780. 

On the floor is a marble slab to the memory of John 
Edes, esq. who died 28th February 1824, aged 73. 
He was one of the acting magistrates of the isle of 
Ely, a deputy lieutenant of the county of Cambridge, 



ELM. 


501 


and a conservator of the honourable corporation of Bed¬ 
ford level. “ To perpetuate the remembrance of departed 
“worth, this stone was placed by his sorrowing friend 
“ and partner, H. J. Nicholls.” Also adjoining is another 
slab to Mrs. Edes, his wife, who died 30th January 
1807, aged 47. 

The chancel is parted from the nave by a neat, low, 
iron railing, with a gate, and in the nave is a reddish 
marble slab to the memory of Thomas Adams, who died 
a.d. 1697, aged 67. “ He was the last of a very ancient 

“ family. The parishioners of Elm, in respectful re- 
“ membrance of their benefactor, renewed this memorial 
“ in 1777.” Also another to the memory of the Rev. 
Thomas Clarke. On a pew on the north side, near to 
the chancel, are carved certain arms, viz. a erescent 
impaling a chevron, int. two swans in chief, and a 
pair of shears in base: this pew has immemorially been 
occupied by the person dwelling at Needham Hall. Also, 
a little further on, is a pew, on which are carved the arms 
of Jenkinson, viz. two bars, int. three boars heads, and 
near thereto is a large marble stone to the memory of 
Thomas Jenkinson, esq. who died in 1753. Another 
large black slab to John Peacock, gent, who died in 
1758 ; and five slabs to different branches of the family 
of Squire. 

At the west end is a handsome marble slab dedicated 

to Martha, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Christopherson, 

who died in 1823, and to Mary, relict of the said Rev. 

Thomas Christopherson, late rector of Grainsby and vicar 

of Eagle, in the county of Lincoln, who died in 1824, 

ao-ed 88. “ This stone is laid down by an affectionate 

© 

“ brother and son.” Also a memorial to John Newson, 
thirty-one years vicar, who died in 1762. 

2 i 2 


502 


HISTORY OF 


In the south aisle, at the east end, is a mural monu¬ 
ment to David Waite, of Wisbech, who died 1st February 
1766, aged 75, one of the deputy-lieutenants for the 
county, in the commission of the peace for the isle and 
and for the county of Norfolk ; also to Ann, his wife, 
(daughter of John Kelsall, esq. of Wisbech, by Ann, 
his wife, and) grand-daughter of Robert Balam, esq. of 
Elm, died in 1752, # aged 59. Near the above, on the 
floor, is a black marble slab to the memory of the said 
John Kelsall, Ann, his wife, daughter of the said Robert 
Balam, and of Jane, the wife of William Pacey, esq. of 
Boston, and one of the daughters of the said John 
Kelsall, who died in 1777, aged 27. 

At the west end of this aisle is a pavement, raised 
two steps from the floor, underneath which is a vault, 
wherein are interred the remains of John Goddard, 
esq. and Sarah, his wife, and on the wall is a mural 
monument to the memory of the said John Goddard, 
who served the office of high-sheriff in 1766, and died 
in 1787, aged 63; and also of Sarah, his wife, who died 
in 1780, aged 47. 

A handsome marble bason, standing on a pediment, 
forms the font; near thereto, on the north side, is a 
plain marble slab to Sarah Furnival, wife of George 
Morris, esq. captain in the royal navy, who died in 
childbed 26th April 1821, aged 38, and two of their infant 
children. Adjoining, is a slab to the memory of Mr. 
James Sculthorpe, and two children of John and Dorothy 
Seulthorpe. On a marble lozenge is an inscription to 
Mary Ann Du Piessis, who died in 1799, aged 82. 


* See page 150. 


ELM. 


503 


In the north aisle is a slab to Robert Fincham,* who 
died in 1667, aged 50. The east window of this aisle 
is a fine one, and was formerly full of figures, with St. 
James as a pilgrim in the middle of it. The interior of 
the church is in very neat order, the pews having been 
recently painted throughout. 

In the church yard, to the north-west of the tower, 
stand three or four altar tombs of freestone to the family 
of Jenkinson. A Mr. Jenkinson built a good house at 
Friday Bridge. His father lived on the bank between 
March and Upwell, at a farm there, and had the toll 
where he got his estate.f There are other altar-tombs 
in the church yard to the memory of the Blackborns ; 
also to John Wrangle; Mr. John Dow, who died in 
1798, aged 67; and Mr. John Palmer, of Wisbech, 
who died in 1825. Under the east window is a monu¬ 
mental stone to John Edes, jun. who died in 1790, in 
the 21st year of his age. 

The manor of Elm formerly belonged to the bishopMf 
Ely, and was held of his capital manor of West Walton. 
Ancient writings speak of some subordinate manors in 
this parish, as Benford, llanstead, and Coldham, of the 
latter of which Sir Henry Peyton, hart, is proprietor, of 
whose ancient family we shall presently treat, when we 
speak of Emneth and Hagbech Hall. 

Coldham House was pulled down about the year 1793, 
when the present neat farm house was erected on the 
site of the original hall. In 17th Edward II. (1323) 
Walter de Langton,J bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, 
and treasurer to king Edward I., is stated to 

* See description of * Outwell.’ t Coles’ MSS. t Dug. p. 301. 


504 


HISTORY OF 


have held the manor of Coldham, with 420 acres ol 
land, per servic. un feod mil. In 1372, William Street* 
is said to be lord of the manor of Coldham, and in 
1437, William Vernounf is mentioned to hold the same 
manor, and that he, together with his partners, ought 
to repair a certain bridge in Elm, in a drove called 

* 

Crane Drove, and another in Wisbech, below the par¬ 
sonage, which was then broken. It is presumed that the 
family of Peyton became possessed of this estate in the 
time of queen Elizabeth, about the same period in which 
Sir John Peyton purchased the Doddington property. 
It is accurately ascertained by a terrier of the parish, 
that in the year 1647, the manor of Coldham belonged 
to Robert Peyton, esq. who was grandson of Sir John 
Peyton, the governor of Jersey and Guernsey, and the 
same is now the property of Sir Henry Peyton, bart. 

The building used as a workhouse has every appear¬ 
ance of having been the residence of a respectable family, 
by its ornamented ceilings, &c. ; it belonged at one 
period to Mr. Thomas Squire, and was purchased by 
the churchwardens and overseers of the parish in the 
year 1801, for the purpose of being used as a house of 
reception for the poor, and was then the property of 
John Swaine, esq. of Stretham, and had for many years 
previously been let as a farm house. The estate, when, 
offered to sale, was described as the manor of Vaux, 
otherwise Vause. Dugdale mentions Beauford or Ben- 
ford Hall, near to Friday Bridge, then belonging to 
Alexander Balam,j; esq. and now the property of Hugh 
Jackson, esq.§ 

* Dugdale, page 313. f Ibid, page 317. 

t This family continued to be of importance for many centuries. We 
find the name mentioned in the fraternity of the Holy Trinity in Wisbech, 
(p. 133) and Robert Balam, esq. was high-sheriff for the counties of Cam¬ 
bridge and Huntingdon in 1634. § See page 319. 


ELM. 


505 


Friday Bridge is a distinct part of the parish, lying 
about a mile south of the church, consisting of several 
respectable houses. The place has been long known by 
that name, although its origin cannot be traced. So 
early as 1373, # Dugdale, in his description of a sewer, 
describes it as beginning at Friday Bridge, and ex¬ 
tending to the stone cross of Welle. It also appears 
that the monastery of Crowland held certain lands in 
Elm, which on the dissolution came to the crown; these 
lands, by the description, seem to have been situated 
between the town and Friday Bridge, 

There was another most respectable residence in this 
parish, called Needham Hall, in former days of very 
considerable consequence, though by lapse of time 
reduced to a state of dilapidation, so that in 1804 
it was entirely taken down, and the present neat 
modern house erected on the site of the old one, or 
rather in front thereof. 

This property had been for some centuries in the 
possession of the Fountaynes, a family of considerable 
influence in Yorkshire. The late Rev. Dr, John 
Fountayne, dean of York, held it for many years, 
when it descended to Miss Catherine Judith Fountayne, 
who dying in 1824, it devolved to her nephew, Richard 
Fountayne Wilson, esq. at this time M. P. for York¬ 
shire. f 


* Dugdale, page 316. 

t lu the seventh session of parliament, in the present reign, (Geo. IV r .) 
one of the Cornish boroughs was disfranchised, and deprived of its privi¬ 
lege on account of notorious bribery, and its right transferred to the county 
of York, since which time the freeholders of that extensive county 
have been authorised to elect four members for the county instead of 


506 


HISTORY OF 


The old mansion was of brick, with a porch in front, 
and a court yard walled round. The length of the 
building was one hundred and eight feet, adorned by 
fifty-two windows, with two large wings, bearing a 
similitude to the Roman letter E, of three stories in 
height, with bay windows on the first and second 
stories. Two spacious oak staircases led to each wing: 
several of the rooms were twenty feet square, and 
upwards of twelve feet high. The entrance hall was 
forty feet by twenty, supported by a row of six- 
oak pillars,* beautifully carved, on stone pedestals. 
In the hall w T as an extensive fire place, over w 7 hich 
was a curiously carved coat of arms in a shield, and 
with a crescent and three bars, with supporters, still 
preserved in the modern house. This description, 
though it may be considered by some unnecessarily 
minute, will convey the impression that at a distant 
period the old structure was a mansion of considerable 
note and importance. A tesselated pavement and 
pieces of stone richly sculptured have been dug up 
near to the hall, which has led to the conjecture that 
a chapel or religious house once existed in the imme¬ 
diate neighbourhood. In taking down the old mansion, 
several ancient coins of silver and brass were discovered 
in the foundation, f So lately as in 1825, some 

two, as heretofore. This privilege was exercised for the first time on 
the general return of members for the present session, commencing in 
November 1826, when the above R. F. Wilson, esq. was elected one 
of those four members. 

* Two of these ancient pillars are preserved, and now constitute a 
support on each side of the door in front of the present hall. 

t Several old coins of silver and brass, eleven of copper, three of 
silver not intelligible, two of the size of a shilling of the date of 
queen Elizabeth, 1569, were found. In 1813, in making a celery trench 
in the garden, three silver pieces were dug up, one having a ducally 


ELM. 


507 


workmen, in opening a furrow to let off the superfluous 
water from the land, discovered an earthen vessel, 
three inches and a half high, and ten inches in 
circumference.* In the walls of the old hall, which 
were of great substance, were found a cannon ball 
of the size of a six pounder, also the remains of a 
bomb shell. We might have supposed these to have 
been lodged there during the time of the civil wars; 
but it appears this part of the country favoured the 
parliamentary interest, and that Oliver Cromwell and 
his forces were received in a friendly way, particularly 
at this mansion.f Needham Hall is at this time the 
residence of Mr. William Dow, who has enjoyed it 
for a considerable number of years, and succeeded 
his father in the same tenancy. Needham is mentioned 
by Dugdale as giving name to certain mounds and barriers 
in that part of Elm, such as Needham Bank, Needham 
Dyke, &c. And in 18th Elizabeth, (1586) it is 
stated tliat the first improvement of Needham and 
Berrial fields commenced by an agreement of the 
land holders of that district, who at that time 
undertook to pay an acre shot of sixpence, for defraying 
the charge thereof.^ About the year 1713, not far from 
a tumulus at Elm, an urn full of small Roman brass coins. 


crowned head, and round it, the words “ John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster;” 
another a plain head, with “ Brutus” over it, and one also with the head of 
Mercury. In 1818, on deepening a pond near the mansion, was found a 
coin with the words “ Witcliford and Ely;” another with “ Gulielmus Tertius 
“ Rex,” and a figure on horseback. Most of these coins are now in the 
possession of Miss Anne Graham Dow, of Needham hall, who displays great 
taste in antiquarian research, and in the cultivation of the fine arts, as well 
as other amiable accomplishments. 

* It is said to be similar to the one in the library of Clare Ilall, which 
is esteemed a great curiosity, and termed a lacrymatory. 

t See page 220. (note.) t Dugdale, p. 346. 


508 


HISTORY OF 


most of them of Victorinus and Te trie us, was taken up, 
and a Roman altar, twenty-six inches high and fourteen 
broad, # is said to have been found at the same place. 
Also coins from Gallienus down to Gratian were found 
in this parish, and deposited with Beaupre Bell, esq. 
who has given an account thereof in his Bib. Top. 

Also so lately as in the year 1785, there was found 
in a field in Waldersea, in this parish, belonging to 
Messrs. Edes and Nicholls, an earthen pot, containing 
a considerable number of small copper coins, chiefly of 
Valentinian and Arcadius, which was ploughed up. 

BENEFACTIONS. 

a.d. William Maynard, by will, gave about seven acres 

1563. of land, and a house, &c. in Old field, Friday Bridge, 
called Widow HilTs Farm; the rents to be distributed to 
the poor as the trustees think proper. 

1597. William Payne gave by deed sixteen acres of land, 
in two pieces, lying in Wales field. 

1674. Thomas Coward, by will, gave six acres of land, in 
Old field, for the purpose of buying thirty yards of 
cloth, at two shillings per yard, to be made into coats 
or jackets for ten poor people, and three chaldrons of 
coals for the poor yearly. He gave the like gift to the 
poor of March, on condition, if either parish officers 
should fail in the due disposal of the charities, the other 
parish to have both gifts. 

1689. Thomas Squire, by will, gave twenty-two acres of 
land, with a house and barn, in Redmore field, and a 
room for a school, and half an acre of land, in Elm 


* Coles’ MSS. 


ELM. 


509 


town, to provide a schoolmaster for teaching the children 
in the parishes of Elm and Emneth to read, write, and 
cast accounts. The parishioners of Elm have within 
thee s few years erected an entirely new and convenient 
school house, for the use of the master and children. 

Mr. Tibenham is the present master. Mr. Squire also 
gave twenty shillings for a sermon to be preached on 
St. Thomas’ day, and forty sixpences to the poor on the 
same day, payable out of four acres of land, late the 
estate of Daniel Swaine esq. and now belonging to 
William Bird, situated at the Gooles, in Elm. 

Thomas Adams, by will, left four acres of land, a.d. 
lying in New Marsh, Wisbech, near New Common bridge, 1697 
for one man’s coat, two women’s gowns, and the re¬ 
mainder, after deducting the necessary expenses, to be 
given away in bread to the poor. 

Thomas Jenkinson, esq., by deed, gave to the poor 1757 
of Elm two acres of land, lying in Wales field, the 
profits of which are to be distributed among them as 
the trustees think proper. 

The profits of certain lands called Crowmere have 
been for time immemorial employed for the benefit of 
the poor. About 1630 or 1635 a field called Laddus 
or Elm common was first taken in, at which time one 
other field called Crowmere, said to contain by estimation 
sixty acres,* was allotted and given for the sole use and 
benefit of the poor of Elm, in consideration of their 
being excluded from commoning in the said field called 
Laddus, then first taken in and allotted, and by such 
agreement, the right of cutting firing in Crowmere was 


* This probably was intended for forty acres, as by Elm map, Crowmere 
contains forty-five acres, two roods, eight perches. 


510 


HISTORY OF 


confirmed to the poor of Elm, and all such parishioners 
as did not own, rent, or occupy lands, houses, or other 
premises exceeding twenty pounds of yearly rent or value. 
The number of hassocks allotted to every house or 
cottage was three thousand, and if any person cut more 
than three thousand, the overplus was usually given by 
the musters or fen reeves to some poor widow. No 
person had any right to turn in or feed on the said piece 
called Crowmere, any cattle or stock; and by the same 
agreement, a road to and from the said field was duly 
set out. 

These particulars will be found in the church register 
about the year 1772, when certain musters or fenreeves 
were appointed to manage the said piece of land, whose 
successors at this time let the land called Crowmere, by 
public auction, and lay out the rents in the purchase of 
coals and flour, which are distributed among the indus¬ 
trious poor at certain seasons of the year, as agreed upon 
at a public meeting of the parishioners in vestry. The 
land is permitted to be ploughed, and the rent is now 
£ 60. per annum. 

The population, by the last returns in 1821, was 
691 males, 677 females. Total 1368. 

EMNETH or ENEMETH 

Is a hamlet in the parish of Elm, though situated in 
Ereebridge hundred, in the county of Norfolk, and is so 
called as lying in the meads or meadows. The chapel 
belonging thereto, which has been mentioned as dedicated 
to Saint Edmund, is larger than most parish churches, 
having a nave and north and south aisles, and a chancel. 


EMNETII. 


511 


In the chapel are several monuments. At the east end of 
the south aisle, inclosed with iron rails, is a sumptuous one 
erected altarwise, on which lie the effigies of Sir Thomas 
Hewar and his lady at full length, and at their feet that 
of a child, their son, who died young. Over this monu¬ 
ment is a canopy of marble, supported by pillars of the 
same material. On the summit of the canopy are 
shields, with the arms of Ilewar and Oxburgh. It 
was erected in 1617, by Nicholas Stone, master mason to 
king James I., who had £95. for it. Also opposite, 
against the south wall, is a neat mural monument, on 
the summit whereof is “ Hewar, a.d. 1586.” 

On the floor is a slab to the memory of Frances, the 
wife of Hewar Oxburgh, who died in 1698. Also slabs 
to the memory of Joseph Whitehall, who died in 1735, 
Hewar Oxburgh, in 1781, and Sarah, his second wife, 
in 1799. 

Near thereto is a stone to Dame Audrey Coney, who 
died in 1763, and a small tablet to William Millicent, 
who died in 1755. 

In the chancel, Thomas Dove, mentioned in the 
account of rectors as presented by the parliament in 1646, 
was buried, with the following inscription : 

“ Here Thomas Dove’s interred, whose name alone 
“ The pulpit would preserve, without this stone. 

“ Ob. May 1st, 1651.” 

In the nave are several monumental stones obliterated, 
two of which appear to have had effigies, probably in 
brass, now taken away. 


512 


HISTORY OF 


At the west end, a marble slab to Henry Southwell, 
LL.D. rector of Asterby, in the county of Lincoln, 
youngest son of Edward Southwell, esq. of Wisbech, 
who died in 1789. 

On the north wall, a mural monument to Robert 
Banyer, and Mary, his wife, who was daughter to Henry 
Ferrour, esq. of Wisbech. He died in 1749. 

In the north aisle are monumental stones to 
Mary Hawkins, 

John Damant, on which is the word “ Resurgam,” 
William Coe, 

John Swansborough, 

John Boyce. 

In the south aisle is a brass plate to the memory ol 
Rachel Gyles, # the wife of a former vicar of Elm. 

In this chapel was the chantry of Saint Mary, founded 
by Sir Adam de Hagbeche, in that part of the south 
aisle where the monument of Hewar now 7 stands. Also 
on the north side is a space unoccupied, which appears 
formerly to have been another chapel or chantry. 

There was a free chapel called Berking chapel in 
this hamlet, and on the 27th May 1389, a licence w as 
granted to the chaplain of Emneth for celebrating divine 
service there.f 

Part of this hamlet belonged to the great manor of the 
prior of Lewes, in West Walton, which extended here. 


* Page 499. 


t Register of bishop Fordliam. 








IB! it! d 

Formerly the Sent of Sir Thcf Pei/trn. Bar*—Taken dawn in J606. 



















































































































































































































































































EMNETH. 


513 


The ancient family of Ingoldesthorpe held a manor here 
called Bellasis, which came into the family of Sir John 
Cutts, heretofore under-treasurer of England. The 
bishop of Ely also held a manor which belonged to the 
see, until granted to the crown in the reign of queen 
Elizabeth. # The manor of Lovells in Elm likewise 
extended here. 

In this hamlet also stood the venerable mansion called 
Hagbech Hall, which the ancient family of Peyton 
made one of their residences for many years. In the 5th 
king John, a.d. 1203, it appears there was a place called 
Hagebeche.f 

Robert de Hakebeche occurs in 1295, and in 10th 
Edward III. Roger de Hakebeche was a commissioner to 
see to the repairs of the banks and sewers in Marshland. 
In the early part of the reign of king Henry VI. Gilbert 
Hal toft, one of the barons of the exchequer, held the lord- 
ship of Emneth, which he sold to Sir Andrew Ogard, 
knight, a famous general in the wars of France, who was 
found to die possessed of it in the 33d year of the same 
king, (1454,) afterwards it came to the family of Hewar, 
by the marriage of the widow of Sir A. Ogard. Sir Thomas 
Hewar, by his will (21st January, 5th Charles I. 1629,) 
left it to his nephew, Lawrence Oxburgh, the son of his 
sister Thomasine Hewar; in which family it continued 
until Diana and Hewar Oxburgh J sold the manor house 

* Parkins. Note, p. 114. t Pita. Term Trin. 5th John, Rot. 17. 

j Hewar Oxburgh married the aunt of Sir Theodosius Bougliton, bart. who 
was poisoned by captain Donnellan, his uncle, by his giving him a draft 
distilled from laurel leaves, which caused his death, and for which murder 
captain Donnellan was tried at Warwick assizes, and being found guilty, 
suffered on 8th April 1781. 


HISTORY OF 


and hall* to Sir Thomas Peyton, bait, from whom it 
descended to Sir Henry Peyton, the present baronet. 

The mansion being a quadrangular building, inclosing 
a small court or area, was erected in the olden time, 
when comfort and good sense were prevailing features, 
it continued standing until the year 1805, when it was 
pulled down and the materials sold, together with the 
site. Sir Thomas Peyton (uncle of the late Sir Henry) 
was accustomed to make this hall his residence during a 
part of the year, and the period of his arrival in the 
neighbourhood w r as always hailed with gladness, highly 
esteemed as he was by the surrounding gentry, whilst his 
urbanity of manners confirmed the respect to which the 
rank and distinction of his ancient lineage so justly 
entitled him. Mr. Camden f calls this a knightly 
family, from its having been distinguished in successive 
reigns with the honour of kniohthood. Their first settle- 
rnent in England is traced to William de Mallet,^; a 
Norman baron, who came over w r ith the Conqueror. 


* The conveyance was dated 25th June 1720. 
t Cam. Brit, in Camb. 

t It may probably afford some amusement to give a list of the names of 
the noble captains and gentlemen who came over with, and assisted king 
William in the conquest of this land. They are to be found in the 
Chronicles of Normandy. Holinshed has preserved a copy of the Cata¬ 
logue and Roll, from which the following list is extracted : 


“ A Catalog of such noble men, lords, and gentlemen of name, as came 
into the land with William the Conqueror. 


Odo, bishop of Bayeulx 
Robert, erle of Mortaing 
Roger, erle of Baumont, surnamed 
A la barbe 

Guillaume Mallet, seigneur de Mont- 
fort 


Henrie, seig. de Ferrers 
Guillaume d’Aubellmare, seig. de 
Fougieres 

Guillaume de Roumare, seig. de 
Lithare 

Le seig. de Tonque 


EMNETH. 


515 


The various branches of whose descendants have 
flourished with high reputation in different parts of the 


Le seig. de la Mare 

Neel le Viconte 

Guillaume de Vepont 

Le seig. de Magneuille 

Le seig. de Grosmenil 

Le seig. de S. Martin 

Le seig. de Puis 

Guillaume Crespin 

Guillaume de Moyenne 

Guillaume Desmoullins 

Guillaume Desgarennes 

Hugh de Gourney, alias Geneuay 

Le seig. de Bray 

Le seig. de Gouy 

Le seig. de Laigle 

Le seig. de Touarts 

Le seig. de Aurenchin 

Le seig. de Vitrey 

Le seig. de Trassy, alias Tracy 

Le seig. de Picquigny 

Le seig. de Espinay 

Osmond, seig. du Pont 

Le seig. de Estouteuile 

Le seig. de Torchy 

Le seig. de Barnabost 

Le seig. de Breual 

Le seig. de Secielme 

Le seig. de Houme 

Le seig. de Souchoy 

Le seig. de Cally 

Le seig. de la Rivere 

Euldes de Beanieu 

Le seig. de Roumilly 

Le seig. de Glotz 

Le seig. du Sap 

Le seig. de Vanuille 

Le seig. Branchou 

Le seig. Balleul 


Le seig. de Beausault 
Le seig. de Telleres 
Le seig. de Senlys 
Le seig. de Bacqueuille 
Le seig. de Preaulx 
Le seig. de Jouy 
Le seig. de Longueuille 
Le seig. de Aquigny 
Le seig. de Passy 
Le seig. de Tournay 
Le seig. de Colombieres 
Le seig. de Bolleber 
Le seig. de Longueile 
Le seig. de Garensieres 
Le seig. de Houdetot 
Le seig. de Malletot 
Le seig. de la Haie Malerbe 
Le seig. de Porcli Pinche 
Le seig. de Juetot 
The Erie of Tanqueruile 
The Erie d’Eu 
The Erie d’Arques 
The Erie of Aniou 
The Erie of Neuers 
Le seig. de Rouuile 
Le Prince de Alemaigne 
Le seig. de Pauilly 
Le seig. de S. Cler 
Le seig. de Espinay 
Le seig. de Bremetot 
Alain Fergant, Erie of Bretaigne 
Le seig. de la Ferte 
Robert, fils Heruays, Due de 
Orleans 

Le seig. de la Lande 
Le seig. de Mortimer 
Le seig. de Clare 
Le seig. de Magny 


516 


HISTORY OF 


kingdom to the present day. The ancient line, which 
originally bore the appellation of Malet, afterwards 


Le seig. de Fontnay 

Roger de Montgomery 

Amaury de Touars 

Le seig. de Hacqueuille 

Le seig. de Neansliou 

Le seig. de Perou 

Robert de Beaufou 

Le seig. Meauuon 

Le seig. de Soteuille 

.Eustace de Hambleuile 

Geoffry Bournom 

Le seig. de Blainuile 

Geoffry de Moienne 

Auffray and Mauger de Carteny 

Le seig. de Freanuile 

Le seig. de Moubray 

Le. seig. de Jafitay 

Guillaume Patais, seig.de la Lande 

Eulde de Mortimer 

Hue, Erie of Gournay 

Egremont de Laigle 

Richard de Aurinchin 

Le seig. de Bearts 

Le seig. de Soulligny 

Bouteclierd Aubigny 

Le seig. de Marcey 

Le seig. de Lacliy 

Le seig. de Valdere 

Eulde de Montfort 

Henoyn de Cabieu 

Le seig. de Vimers 

Guillaume de Mouion 

Raoul Tesson de Tignolles 

Anguerand, Erie of Hercourt 

Roger Marmion 

Raoul de Gaiel 

Auenel de Viers 

Pauuel du Montier Hubert 


Robert Bertraule Tort 

Le seig. de Seulle 

Le seig. Doriual 

Le seig. de la Hay 

Le seig. de S. John 

Le seig. de Saussy 

Le seig. de Brye 

Richard Dollebec 

Le seig. du Monfiquet 

Le seig. de Bresey 

Le seig. de Semilly 

Le seig. de Tilly 

Le seig. de Preaux 

Le seig. de S. Denis 

Le seig. de Meuley 

Le seig. de Monceaux 

The Archers of Bretuile 

The Archers of Vaudreuile 

Le seig. de S. Sain 

Le seig. de Breansou 

Le seig. de Sassy 

Le seig. de Nassy 

Le vidam de Chartres 

Le seig. de Icanuile 

Le vidam du Passais 

Pierre du Bailleul, seig.de Fescampe 

Le Seneschal de Torchy 

Le seig. de Grissey 

Le seig. de Bassey 

Le seig. de Tourneur 

Guillaume de Colombieres 

Le seig. de Bonnebault 

Le seig. de Ennebault 

Le seig. de Danuillers 

Le seig. de Beruile 

Le seig. de Creueceur 

Le seig. de Breate 

Le seig. de Courtray 


EMNETH. 


517 


successively took the names of Ufford and Peyton, from 
the places of its abode and settlement, it being the custom 


The Erie of Eureux Thomas, Erie d’Aumale 

Le seig. de Seint Valery The Erie de Hiesmes; 

» * ' <** > 

“ With other lords and men of account in great numbers, whose names the 
author of the Chronicles of Normandie could not come by (as he himself 
confesseth) ; in consideration whereof, and bicause diuers of these are set 
forth onlie by their titles of estate, and not by their surnames, we have 
thought it conuenient to make you partakers of the roll which some time 
belonged to Battell Abbeie, containing also (as the title thereof importeth) 
the names of such nobles and gentlemen of marque as came at this time with 
the Conqueror, whereof diuerse maie be the same persons which in the 
catalog aboue written are conteined, bearing the names of the places whereof 
they were possessours and owners, as by the same catalog maie appeare. 


“ The Roll of Battell Abbeie. 


Avmarle 

Amay 

Berners 

Broilem 

Bodin 

Aincourt 

Aspermound 

Braibuf 

Broleuy 

Beteruile 

Audeley 

Amerenges 

Brande and 

Burnell 

Bertin 

Adgillam 


Bronce 

Bellet 

Bereneuile 

Argentoune 

Bertram 

Burgh 

Baudewin 

Bellewe 

Arundell 

Buttecourt 

Bushy 

Beaumont 

Beuery 

Auenant 

Brebus and 

Banet 

Burdon 

Busshell 

Abell 

Byseg 

Blondell 

Berteuilay 

Boranuile 

Auuerne 

Bardolfe 

Breton 

Barre 

Browe 

Aunwers 

Basset and 

Bluat and 

Busseuile 

Beleuers 

Angers 

Bigot 

Baious 

Blunt 

Buffard 

Angenoun 

Bohun 

Browne 

Beaupere 

Botelere 

Archere 

Bailif 

Beke 

Beuill 

Bonueier 

Anuay 

Bondeuile 

Bickard 

Bar due dor 

Boteuile 

Asperuile 

Brabason 

Banastre 

Brette 

Bellire 

Albeuile 

Baskeruile 

Baloun 

Barrett 

Bastard 

Andeuile 

Bures 

Beauchampe 

Bonret 

Bainard 

Amouerduile 

Bounilaine 

Bray and 

Bainard 

Brasard 

4 

Arcy and 

Bois 

Bandy 

Barniuale 

Beelhelme 

Akeny 

Botelere 

Bracy 

Bonett 

Braine 

Albeny 

Bourcher 

Bounties 

Barry 

Brent 

Aybeuare 

Brabaion 

Bascoun 

Bryan 

Braunche 


2 k 2 


518 


HISTORY OF 


for some ages after the conquest, to distinguish families 
by the Christian name, and the respective places of their 


Belesuz 

Cholmeley 

Dodingsels 

Engaine 

Fitz-Henrie 

Blundell 

Champney 

Darell 

Estriels 

Fitz-Waren 

Burdet 

Chawnos 

Delaber 

Esturney 

Fitz-Rainold 

Bagot 

Comiuile 

Delapole 


Flamuile 

Beauuise 

Champaine 

Delalinde 

Ferrerers 

Formay 

Belemis 

Careuile 

Delahill 

Foluille 

Fitz-Eustach 

Beisin 

Carbonelle 

Delaware 

Fitz-W ater 

Fitz-Laurence 

Bemon 

Charles 

Delauache 

Fitz-Marma- 

Formibaud 

Boels 

Chereberge 

Dakeny 

duke 

Frisound 

Belefroun 

Chawnes 

Dauntre 

Fleuez 

Finere & Fitz- 

Brutz 

Chaumont 

Desny 

Filberd 

Robert 

Barchampe 

Caperoun 

Dabernoune 

Fitz-Roger 

Furniuale 


Cheine 

Damry 

Fauecourt 

Fitz-Geffrey 

Camois 

Curson 

Daueros 

Ferrers 

Fitz-Herbert 

Camuile 

Couille 

Dauonge 

Fitz-Philip 

Fitz-Peres 

Chawent 

Chaitres 

Duilby 

Filiot 

Fichet 

Chauncy 

Cheine s 

Delauere 

Furniueus 

Fitz-Rewes 

Conderay 

Cateray 

Delalioid 

F umiuaus 

Fits-Fitz 

Colvile 

Cherecourt 

Durange 

Fitz-Otes 

Fitz-John 

Chamberlaine 

Cammile 

Delee 

Fitz-William 

Fle3cliampe 

Chamburnoun 

Clerenay 

Delaund 

Fitz-Roand 


Comin 

Curly 

Delaward 

Fitz-Pain 

Gurnay 

Columber 

Cuily 

Delaplanch 

Fitz-Auger 

Gressy 

Cribett 

Clinels 

Damnot 

Fitz-Aleyn 

Graunson 

Creuquere 

Chaundos 

Danway 

Fitz-Rauff 

Gracy 

Corbine 

Courteney 

Dehense 

Fitz-Browne 

Georges 

Corbett 

Clifford 

Deuile 

Fouke 

Gower 

Chaundos 


Disard 

Freuil 

Gaugy 

Chawortli 

Denauille 

Doruille 

Front de Boef Goband 

Cleremaus 

Dercy 

Durant 

Facunberge 

Gray 

Clarell 

Dine 

Drury 

Fort 

Gaunson 

Chopis 

Dispencere 

Dabitot 

Frisell 

Golofre 

Chaunduit 

Daubeny 

Dunsteruile 

Fitz-Simon 

Gobion 

Chantelow 

Daniell 

Dunchampe 

Fitz-Fouk 

Grensy 

Chamberay 

Denise and 

Dambelton 

Filioll 

Graunt 

Cressy 

Druell 


Fitz-Thomas 

Greile 

Curtenay 

Deuans 

Estrange 

Fitz-Morice 

Greuet 

Conestable 

Deuers 

EstUteuile 

Fitz-Hugh 

Gurry 


RMNETH. 


519 


habitation ; thus William cle Malet was so named from 
Malet, in Normandy, Robert de Ufford from a village of 


Gurley 

Kaunt 

Mohant 

Manteuenante 

Moren 

G rammori 

Karre 

Mowne 

and Manfe 

Melun 

Gernoun 

Karrowe 

Maundeuile 

Menpincoy 

Marceans 

Grendon 

Koine 

Marmilon 

Maine 

Maiell 

Gurdou 

Kimaronne 

Moribray 

Mainard 

Morton 

Gines 

Kiriell 

Moruile 

Morell 


Griuil 

Kancey 

Miriell 

Mainell 

Noers 

Greneuile 

Kenelre 

Manlay 

Maleluse 

Neuile 

Glateuile 


IMalebraunch 

Memorous 

Newmarcb 

Gurney 

Loueny 

Malemaine 

Morreis 

Norbet 

Giffard 

Lacy 

Mortimere 

Morleian Maine Norice 

Gouerges 

Linnehy 

Mortimaine 

Malevere 

Newborough 

G amages 

Latomer 

Muse 

Mandut 

Neiremet 


Loueday 

Marteine 

Mountmarten 

Neile 

Haunteney 

Louell 

Mountbotlier 

Mantelet 

Normauile 

Ilaunsard 

Lemare 

Mountsoler 

Miners 

Neofmarcli 

Hastings 

Lauetot 

Maleuile 

Mauclerke 

Nermitz 

Hanlay 

Lucy 

Malet 

Mauncbenell 

Nembrutz 

Haurell 

Luny 

IMounteney 

Mouet 


Husee 

Logeuile 

Monficliet 

Meintenore 

Oteuell 

Herioun 

Longespes 

Maleherbe 

Meletak 

Olibef 

Herne 

Louerace 

Mare 

M anuile 

Olifant 

Harecourt 

Longecliarape Musegros 

Mangisere 

Osenel 

Henoure 

Lascales 

Musard 

M aumasin 

Oisell 

Houell 

Lacy 

Moine 

Mountlouel 

Olifard 

Ilamelin 

Louan 

Montrauers 

Mawreward 

OrinaU 

Hare well 

Leded 

Merl^e 

Monhaut 

OrioU 

Hardell 

Luse 

Murres 

Meller 


Haket 

Loterell 

Mortiuale 

Mountgomerie 

Pigot 

Hamound 

Loruge 

Monchenesy 

Manlay 

Pery 

Harcord 

Longeuale 

Mallory 

Maulard 

Perepount 

Hercy 

Loy 

Marny 

Mainard 

Pershale 


Lorancourt 

Mountagu 

Menere 

Power 

Jarden 

Loions 

Mountford 

Martinast 

PaineU 

Jay 

Limers 

Maule 

Mare 

Perche and 

Jeniels 

Longepay 

Monhermon 

Mainwairing 

Pauey 

Jerconuise 

Laumale 

Musett 

Matelay 

Peurell 

J anuile 

Lane 

Meneuile 

Malemis 

Perot 

Jasperuile 

Louetot 


Malelieire 

Picard 

> 


520 


HISTORY OF 


that name in Suffolk, and Robert de Peyton from a seat 
called Peyton Hall, at Boxford, in the same county, 
and by this last name the surviving branches of the 
family are now known. By continual intermarriages 


Pinkenie 

Rous 

Sent John 

Tanny 

Verland 

Pomeray 

Rusliell 

Sent George 

Touke 

Valers 

Pounce 

Raband 

Sent Les 

Tib tote 

Veirny 

Pouely 

Ronde 

Sesse 

Turbeuile 

Vauvruile 

Paifrere 

Rie 

Saluin 

Turuile 

Veniels 

Plukenet 

Rokell 

Say 

Tomy and 

Verrere 

Phuars 

Risers 

Solers 

Tauerner 

Vschere 

Punchardoun 

Randuile 

Saulay 

Trenclieuile 

Veffay 

Pinckard 

Roselin 

Sent Albin 

Trenchelion 

Van ay 

Placy 

Rastoke 

Sent Martin 

Tankeruille 

Vian 

Pugoy 

Rinuill 

Sourdemale 

Tirell 

Vernoys 

Patefinc 

Rougere 

Seguin 

Triuet 

Vrnall 

Place 

Rait 

Sent Barbe 

Tolet 

Vnket 

Pampilioun 

Ripere 

Sent Vile 

Trauers 

Vrnafull 

Percelay 

Rigny 

Souremount 

Tardeuile 

Vasderoll 

Perere and 

Riclimound 

Soreglise 

Turburuile 

Vaberon 

Pekeny 

Hochford 

Sanduilej 

Tineuile 

Valin gford 

Poterell 

Raimond 

Sauncey 

Torell 

Venicorde 

Peukeny 


Sirewast 

Tortechappel 

Valiue 

Peccell 

Souch 

Sent Cheueroll 

Trusbote 

Viuille 

Pinell 

Sheuile 

Sent More 

Treuerell 

Vancorde and 

Putrill 

Seucheus 

Sent Scudemore 

Tenwis 

Valenges 

Petiuoll 

Senclere 


To telle s 


Preaus 

SentQuintin 

Toget 


Wardebois 

Pantolf 

Sent Omere 

Tercy 

Vere 

Ward 

Peito 

Sent Amond 

Tuchet 

Vernoun 

Wafre 

Penecord 

Sent Legere Tracy 

Vescy 

Wake 

Preudirlegast 

Someruile 

Trousbut 

Verdoune 

Wareine 

Perciuale 

Siward 

Trainell 

Valence 

Wate 


Saimsouere 

Taket 

Verdeire 

Watelin 

Qvinci 

Sanford 

Trussel and 

Vauasour 

W ateuil 

Quin tiny 

Sanctes 

Trison 

Vendore 

Wely 


Sauay 

Talbot 

Verlay 

Werdonell 

Ros 

Saulcy 

Touny 

Valenger 

Wespaile 

Ridell 

Sules 

Traies 

Venables 

Wiuell.” 

Rluers 

Sorell 

Tollemach 

Venoure 


Riuell 

Somerey 

Tolous 

Vilan 



EMNETKL 


521 


with many of the chief families of England, it has not so 
much increased the splendour of its own stock, as added 
a new lustre to theirs. The camp, the bar, the senate, 
the church, the court, and the country, owe to this house 
some of their great ornaments.* The founder of it died 
bravely in defence of the city of York, against the Danes; 
and two of his descendants, who were the first and succes¬ 
sively earls of Suffolk, Robert and William de Ufford, were 
both of them lords high admirals of England in the 
reign of the victorious Edward III., the former of whom 
had the honour of being a knight companion of the order 
of the garter upon the first institution of it,T and was 
engaged in a continued series of eminent actions. 

Robert, the father of the first earl of Suffolk, was 
created knight of the bath in 31st Edward I. (1302) and 
both he and Ralph de Ufford, his second son, were lords 
justices of Ireland ; the father in 4th Edward I., the son 
in 20th Edward III. 

So many of this family have been called to do their 
king and country service in parliament, some to the 
upper and others to the lower house, that it would be 
tedious to mention all their names and persons.^ John 
de Ufford,§ son to the first, and brother to the second 
earl of Suffolk, received his education in Cambridge, 
and proceeded doctor of civil and canon law. He was 
afterwards promoted to the deanery of Lincoln; but his 
talents were too large to be confined to a private church : 
his admirable eloquence and profound knowledge of the 

•*, • 1 ■ v • \. 

4 , .4 ' , * I 

* Dugdale’s Baronetage, vol. i. page 110. t Ibid, vol ii. page 47. 

X Ibid. vol. ii. page 47. 

§ Parker’s Ant. Eccl, Br. page 263. 


\ 


522 


HISTORY OF 


law demanded a higher sphere, and accordingly he was 
called up to be a member of the king’s council and 
chancellor of England ; and after he had for some time 
filled the highest station of the law with great integrity, 
he was from thence advanced to the archiepiscopal see 
of Canterbury; after he had sat in this see but a short 
time, viz. six months and six days, he was swept away in 
the dreadful pestilence which raged in this kingdom a.d. 
1350, dying intestate, upon which Andrew de Ufford, # 
archdeacon of Middlesex, took out letters of adminis¬ 
tration to his effects, as heir at law. Thus did the mem¬ 
bers of this family, by discharging these great stations 
and offices with abilities and address, reflect credit on the 
courts of those several kings who employed them, and 
by being joined in the commission of the peace, and 
executing the office of sheriffs for their respective 
counties, which many of them frequently did in successive 
reigns with honour to themselves and advantage to their 
country, they acquitted themselves, though in a less 
brilliant sphere, as eminently serviceable and distin¬ 
guished members of the community. 

There is a particular account of the rise and progress of 
this family in Dugdale’s Baronetage. In this place we 
shall only give an account of that branch which settled 
at Doddington, in the isle of Ely. 

The first of these was Sir John Peyton, knt. second 
son of Sir John Peyton, of Knowlton, in Kent, and of 
Dorothy, his wife, daughter of Sir Johnf Tindal, who 
was created knight of the bath at the coronation of queen 
Anne Bullen. 


* Tarker’s Ant. Eccl. Br. page 268. t Called Sir Robert in vol. i. page 29. 


EMNETH. 


523 


Sir John Peyton of Doddington was the thirteenth in 
descent from William de Malet, the Norman baron, and 
in good and great qualifications no ways inferior to any 
of his ancestors. He was educated after the politest 
manner of the age he lived in, by serving in the wars of 
Flanders, under the most able and experienced soldiers 
and politicians of that time. From hence he received all 
those advantages which a good understanding can be 
supposed to reap from free and familiar conversation 
with the wisest and most polished men of all nations, 
met together as upon a public theatre of action. The 
accomplishments which he brought home with him 
recommended him to the favour of a princess, who was 
famed for a nice discernment of the eminent qualifications 
of her subjects; he was called to her privy council, and 
made lieutenant of the tower and afterwards in the reign 
of king James I., succeeded Sir Walter Raleigh in the 
government of the isles of Jersey and Guernsey, in which 
post, by his prudent and steady management, he settled 
the English liturgy in the former, where the Geneva 
discipline had prevailed, and made a good progress in 
bringing the latter to the same standard of primitive 
piety. Amidst the sunshine of a court, and the affluence 
of a large fortune, his conduct was so regular and 
temperate, that his life was prolonged to the age of 
ninety-nine years, in so much health and vigour, that he 
is said to have ridden buck hunting three or four days 
before his death. He married Dorothy,f daughter and 
heiress of Edmund Beaupre, of Outwell, in Norfolk, esq. 
and widow of Sir Robert Bell, who was speaker in the 
house of commons in the 14th of Elizabeth, and chief 
baron of the exchequer, by whom he had issue, only one 
son, viz. 


* See Engraving. 


t Ibid. 


524 


HISTORY OF 

/ 

Sir John Peyton, who was knighted in his father’s 
lifetime, and succeeded him in his estate. This gentleman 
was conspicuously distinguished as a polite scholar: he 
married Alice, the second daughter of Sir John Peyton, 
of Islesham, bart. and by her had issue, three sons and 
six daughters: 

1st. Robert, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir 
; Richard Anderson, of Penley, in Hertfordshire, knt. and 
died without issue April 26th, 1659. 

2d. Algernon, who succeeded his brother in his estate, 
of whom hereafter. 

3d. Henry, who, in the grand rebellion, engaging in 
the royal cause, was unfortunately killed by his own 
soldiers at Banbury, forgetting the watchword. His 
daughters were married as follows : 1st. Elizabeth to 
Sir Anthony Chester, of Cbichley, in Bucks, bart • 2d. 

Alice, to -Lowe, esq. ; 3d. Dorothy, to Lawrence 

Oxburgh, of Emneth, esq.; 4th. Frances, to Francis 
Fortescue, esq. barrister at law, solicitor to queen Mary, 
consort of king Charles I. ; 5th. Susanna, to John 
Richers, of Tring Hall, in Norfolk, esq. (she died in 1706, 
in Tier 90th year, and was buried at Chesterford-Magna, 
in Essex); 6th. Anne, to - Brent, of Worcester¬ 

shire, esq. 

Sir Edward Peyton, bart. a collateral branch of this 
family, wrote a book called ‘ the Divine Catastrophe of 
the Kingly Family of the House of Stuart.’ 

Algernon, second son of Sir John Peyton, was educated 
at Cambridge, entered into holy orders, and proceeded 




EMNETH. 


525 


doctor of divinity in that university. He was heir to 
his brother Robert, (who died without issue) and rector 
of Doddington, in the Isle of Ely. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of John Cook, of Chissel, in Essex, esq. by 
whom he had issue, three sons and three daughters : 1st. 
John, created baronet December 10th, 1660, 12th 
Charles II., who dying unmarried, the title expired with 
him; 2d. Algernon, created baronet March 12th, 1666, 
18th Charles II., of whom hereafter; 3d. Henry, who 
embraced a military life from fourteen years of age, went 
gradually through the several posts of the army, and was 
by queen Anne made a brigadier, and governor of Gallo¬ 
way, in Ireland: he died unmarried in 1714, and 
left behind him the character of having been a good 
Christian and a brave soldier. His daughters were, 
1st. Dorothy, who died young; 2d. Elizabeth, married 
to Gregory Parlet, of Downham, in Norfolk, gent.; 3d. 
Alice, married first to John Nalson, LL.D. rector of 
Doddington, and prebendary of Ely, well known to the 
learned world by his many useful and ingenious writings, 
and secondly to John Cremer, of Norfolk, gent.: she 
died in 1717. Dr. Peyton lies buried in St. George’s 
church, Southwark, having died in London in 1667. 
He added much to the convenience of the parsonage 
house at Doddington, by making the hall, which before 
was open to the top, into four lodging rooms, with 
chimneys, &c. Sir Algernon Peyton, bart, second son to 
the Rev. Dr. Algernon Peyton, succeeded him in his 
estate, and married Frances, daughter and heir to Sir 
Robert Sewster, of Ravely, in Huntingdonshire, knight, 
(who, surviving him, was married to colonel Skelton) by 
whom he had issue, one son and two daughters, viz. Sir 
Sewster, who succeeded him in his title and estate ; 
Anne, married to Philip Bell, of Wallington, in the county 


526 


HISTORY OF 


of Norfolk, esq., and Algerina, to George Dashwood, of 
Peyton Hall, in Suffolk, esq. who served as colonel in 
the army, and was the youngest son of George Dash- 
wood, esq. of London : he died in May 1671, and w r as 
buried in the chancel of Doddington. 

\ 

Sir Sewster Peyton, bart. # son and heir to Sir Algernon, 
was master of the buckhounds to her majesty queen Ann, 
during the life of his royal highness prince George of 
Denmark, in joint commission with another gentleman. 
He married Anne, second daughter to the last named 
George Dashwood, of London, esq. sister to Sir Robert 
Dashwood, of Northbrook, in com. Oxon. bart., and to 
Richard Dashwood, of Cley, in Norfolk, esq. and to the 
late colonel George Dashwood, of Peyton Hall, in 
Suffolk, esq. By this lady he had issue, two sons and 
three daughters, viz. Thomas, heir to his estate and 
title, of whom hereafter, and Henry, who died of a 
fever unmarried September 25th 1741, and was buried 
at Doddington with his ancestors ; the Christian and the 
gentleman were happily united in him, and the liberal 
education which he had in St. John’s college, Cambridge, 
added to each of those characters; the real grief which 
his friends and relations expressed at his death was the 
best panegyric that could be made upon him—an une¬ 
quivocal proof of his many excellent, engaging, and good 
qualities. Sir Sewster’s daughters were, 1st. Anne, 
married to Richard Dashwood, of Cockley Cley, in 
Norfolk, esq.; 2d. Margaret, married to George Dash¬ 
wood, of Peyton Hall, esq.; 3d. Henrietta, who died 
young. Sir Sewster died 28th December 1717, and 
lies buried in the chancel of the parish church of Dod¬ 
dington. Sir Thomas Peyton,f son and heir of Sir 


# See Engraving. 


t Ibid. 



GO VEAET OR SI1 J 0 HH PEYT ON, 

IS^iu descent Erorn W u dell ai et, ~wh o came oyer 
■witli "William, the Ccvn<j- 1 ' Trent 1 of‘tire Tuwa.ad d sue 
cee.ded Sir lAf^TlaleigTi in. ike Government oC the 
Isles of Jersey and Guernsey, His Conduct was 
.so regular and temperate that his life was prolonged 

tribe great Age of 99 .Years,insomuch. Health. 
.uidVLgour thuthets s aid to Hare rode a Buck- 
Hunting S or d days before his Death. Died 10 
iloG*.) and buried.atDoddmgtom 



;)0 ROTUT ~WIPE OP SIR JOUR TEYIO 

.Daughter andSeirefs o f Edrmmd Beaupre E s cpT of 
() atwell in 11orfoik and WidowofSir Idol) ert B ell. 
who was Speaker o£th.e House of Commonsl4*PJv/. 
and Chief Baron of tke hiuchecp lct,H e unhappily 
caught Ins death, of a p estdendal Tever atth eh la el 
Afsir.es at Oxford.167 7. 



SIRSEWSTER PEYT OH, 

onLySonof Sn Algernon who was created aB art n 
1667. Sir Sews ter was Master of theBuckJtouin., 
to Queen. Anae Marne dAome Sister of SirAohert 
Dashwood of Rorthbrook ,0x.oxtAat 1 ch.edlS^Dec'.' 
1717.andhunedmtke ChanceL of Doddnxgton. 


/ 



SIR TRO s PEYT Odd, 

Son of Sir Sewster.ffigh SAenff for the Counties 
of Cardb ridge and Hunting don inl74S Hied xn. 
1771. S.T. 











































. 



/ 



* i 








■' 






- 




















I 










EMNETH. 


527 


Sewster, married the only daughter of Thomas Skeving¬ 
ton, of Skevington, in the county of Leicester, esq. (by 
Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Sir John Dugdale, of 
Blythe Hall, in Warwickshire, knight, and grand¬ 
daughter of Sir William Dugdale, knight) and sister and 
heir to Thomas Skevington, esq. by whom he had no issue. 
Sir Thomas w r as so unfortunate as to kill captain King in a 
duel in London, for which, however, king George I. granted 
him a pardon. This document was preserved, and is to be 
found amongst the family writings. His sister Margaret 
having married George Dash wood, esq. (son of George 
Dashwood, of Peyton Hall) left one son, Henry, who, 
on the decease of Sir Thomas, without issue, took the 
surname of Peyton, and was created a baronet in 1776, 
and lived a great part of the year at Hagbech. He 
married Frances, the sister of the present earl of Strad- 
broke, of Henham Hall, in Suffolk, by whom he had two 
sons, viz. Sir Henry, the present baronet, and the Rev. 
Algernon, rector of Doddington; and four daughters, 
three of whom are now living; Frances, Louisa, and 
Harriet. In 1782, on the death of lord Robert Manners, 
Sir Henry, father of the present baronet, was elected 
representative of the county of Cambridge, and sat as 
member until his death, which took place in London in 
the month of May 1789, At his decease, he left his son 
and heir, the present baronet, a minor. On the death 
of general Adeane, one of the members for the county 
of Cambridge in 1802, the present Sir Henry, having 
attained his majority, offered himself as a candidate for 
the county, and after a close contest of five days, in 
opposition to lord Charles Somerset Manners, one of the 
most amiable and excellent of men, and therefore most for¬ 
midable of opponents, was elected member by a majority 


528 


HISTORY OF 


of ninety-two votes.* At the close of that session, Sir 
Henry Peyton retired from parliament, and much to the 
regret of his numerous friends and adherents, declined 
to stand forward as a candidate at the ensuing general 
election. Sir Henry married in the year 1803 Mrs. 
Bradshaw, widow of James Bradshaw, esq. and daughter 
of William Fitzhugh, esq. by whom he has one son, 
Henry Peyton, esq. 

A few only of the distinguished characters having 
been noticed as above, a more full pedigree of this 
ancient family is annexed. 

There is a considerable number of deeds and charters 
relative to the family of Peyton, as well as to their 
lands, See. in Suffolk and Essex, preserved in the 
British Museum.f Peyton Hall, in Stoke Newland and 
Boxford, was granted by William the Conqueror to 
Robert Malet. Part of the ruins of the hall in Ramsholt, 
in Suffolk, still remains, particularly the gateway, on 
which are the arms of Peyton. It has since been the 
property of the earls of Oxford, lord St. John, and of the 
family of Waller, and now belongs to the heirs of the late 
Robert Trotman, esq. of Ipswich. The present baronet 
served the office of high sheriff for the counties of Cam¬ 
bridge and Huntingdon in the year 1808. This family 
has, for the long period of eight hundred years, proceeded 
in an even tenor, honourable to themselves, and always 


* The total number of votes polled was 3092 ; for Sir Henry Peyton, 
1592 ; for Lord Charles Somerset Manners, 1500. 

t See Halsted’s History of Kent, vol. iv. page 210, which contains an 
account of the Peytons, at Knolton, and their monuments in the church 
there. 


PEDIGREE OF THE ANCIENT FAMILY OF PEYTON 


jT "in Suffolk' I lnT f Ca Tn°p V «n™n t ,l!p th f p 0 n jl Ueror - and was sheriff of Yorkshire 3d William I., and possessed Sihtoj and Peyton Hall 
° lk ' and t 0 °V f “ k ! ej T' aCC ° rdin S t0 the usa S e of that age, from his manor of Peyton Ih l], in I5ox JJ ^ 

He was slam by the Danes at York. The first who bore the name of Pevton were 


William. 


Walter. 


t 

Gilbert. 


Robert, from whom descended 
the Cheneys and Claverings. 


Reginold, who had the 
lordship of Peyton Hall. 

Jobn, who flourished under 
Stephen and Henry II. 


I 

■ John, the elder, knighted, lord 
of Peyton Hall, flourished 
temp. Henry III. 


John, knight of the shire 
for Suffolk. 


Robert. 

Hugh. 

I 

Robert, steward 
of the household 
to Edward II. 


Peter, lord of Peyton Hall, 
temp, king John. 


Robert. 


W illiam. 


James. 


,25thEdward IIL ^hTsllsTwtfef ^ J ° an de Marne y* 

Christiana, buried with great pomp 
at Nayland (no child.) 

I he funeral expenses are 


Daughter 

Agnes. 


Henry, took the 
name of Howard. 


Robert. 

. 1 . 

William. 


Join), the younger, sold 
jo his eldest brother 
John, all his lands in 
Boxford. 


thus set down 
SQrs.of Wheat.. 4s. lOd 
Hogsheads of Wine 53 4 

4 Muttons. o 5 

8 Barren Hogs . , 14 

Calves, &c. 


Robert, created Earl of Suffolk, 
11 th Edward III. (1336) Lord High 
Admiral of England. 


Thomas de Ufford, 
Knight of the G arter. 


Sir John married Margaret, 
daughter and co-heiress of 
Sir J. German, lord of 
Wicken, buried at Stoke 
Nayland 1393. 

John de Peyton, Esq. married 
Joan, daughter of Sir Hamon 
Sutton, of Wixoe ; died 5 th 
Henry IV. and buried at 
Nayland 1403. 


William, buried 
at Wicken. 


William de Ufford, Lord 
High Admiral of 
England, temp. Edward III. 


John de Ufford, brought up at 
Cambridge, and made Dr. of Law, 
Chancellor of England, and after¬ 
wards Archbishop of Canterbury, 
which he never enjoyed, being cut 
off by the plague, anno 1348. 


John married Grace Burgoyne, 
died 4th Henry V. (1416) in 
the flower of his age. 


Thomas. 


Robert. Margery. 


John died young, 
S.P. lith Henry 
VI. (1432.) 


Anne. 


Thomas, next heir, high-sheriff of 
Cambridge and Huntingdon 21 st and 
31st Henry VI. and 17 th Edward IV. = Second wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Hugh Francis. 
(1476) : rebuilt the church of Iselham; J 

married Margaret, daughter of Sir John | j 

Barnard, of Iselham, by which match 
Iselham descended to this family. 


Thomas died before 
his father, and by 
his wife Joan 


Margaret. Grace. 


Christopher, sheriff of 
Cambridge and Huntingdon 
1496 ; married Elizabeth Hide, 
and died, S.P. 15th Henry 

VII. (1499.) _ 


Francis married 
Elizabeth Brook. 


Thomas. 

I 

Thomas. 


Christopher, of Edmundsbury, 
married Jane Mildmay. 


Edmund died S.P. 


Thomas died S.P. 


Sir Robert was sheriff 
of Cambridge and Hun¬ 
tingdon 14th Henry VII. 
(1498) and a knight; de¬ 
ceased 1517 ; married 
daughter of Sir Robert 
Clere, buried at Iselham. 


John. 


Edward, and 
four daughters. 


Thomas, of Edmundsbury, 
married Cicely, daughter 
of Thomas Bourchier, Earl 
of Bath, by Eleanor, his t 
wife, daughter of Henry, 
Earl of Rutland. 


Christopher, knighted by 
James I. and married Ann 
Palmer. Auditor of Ireland. 


I 

Henry, of London, 
married Mary 
Pickering. 


Several daughters. 


Walter. Elizabeth. Cicely. Thomazin. 


'Sir Robert, of Iselham, 
buried at Iselham 1550 ; 
sheriff’ of Cambridge and 
Huntingdon 17 th & 27th 
Henry VIII. & 1 st Mary. 


John, of knowlton Edward, 
married Dorothy, died S.P. 
daughter of Sir J ohn 
Tindall, from whom 
descended the Peytons 
of Doddington. 


Two daughters. 


Sir Henry Peyton, knighted 
by James I. and married 
daughter of Duke of Somerset. 


Robert. 


Three sons, ob. S.P. Several daughters, ob. S.P. 


I I ! 

John. Robert. Two daughters. 


Sir Robert, sheriff of Cambridge 
and Huntingdon 1.525 and 1535, 
accompanied Henry VIII. to the 
siege of Bologne, married Frances 
Hasseldyne, deceased 1550, 5th 
Edward VI. 


Sir Thomas Peyton, knt. 
of Knowlton, died 1611 ; 
married Ann, daughter of 
Sir Martin Calthorp, knt. 


Robert, M. P. for Cam¬ 
bridgeshire, high-slieriff, and 
received knighthood 1608 ; 
married Elizabeth, daughter 
of Baron Rich, Lord Chancellor. 


William. Richard. Christopher. Edward. John. 


— Ann. 

—Catherine. 
—Elizabeth. 


Sir Samuel Peyton, 
married daughter 
of Sir Robert Bannister. 


—Ann. 

Alice. 

—Mary. 

—Judith. 

—Elizabeth. 


Sir Thomas Peyton, bart. 


Margaret. 


Robert died in 
bis father’s life¬ 
time unmarried. 


John received new order of 
knighthood in 1611, lord of 
Peyton Hall, Boxford, sheriff 
of Cambridge and Huntingdon 
35th Elizabeth, (1592) and 
M.P. for Cambridgeshire ; 
married Alice, daughter of Sir 
Edward Osborn, progenitor of 
Duke of Leeds. 


Richard. 


Mary married 
Robert Balam, 
of Walsoken. 


-Frances. 

-Winifred. 

-Elizabeth. 

-Elizabeth. 


Sir John Peyton, 13th in descent from William 
de Malet, married Dorothy, daughter and 
heiress of Edward Beaupre, of Outwell, and 
widow of Sir Robert Bell; made lieutenant of 
the Tower, and succeeded Sir Walter Raleigh 
in the government of the Isles of Jersey and 
Guernsey. His conduct was so regular and 
temperate, that his life was prolonged to the 
great age of 99 years, in so much health and 
vigour, that he is said to have ridden buck 
hunting three or four days before his death. 

| (Vide Engraving.) 
Sir John Peyton, knighted in his father’s 
life-time, married Alice, second daughter of 
Sir John Peyton, of Iselham. 


Francis. Edward. 


Elizabeth married 
Thomas Monings, 
of Kent. 


Robert married daughter 
of Sir Richard Anderson ; 
died at Emneth, buried at 
Doddington, 20th July 
1658. 


Algernon entered into holy orders, and 
proceeded D.D. at Cambridge, was 
rector of Doddington 26 years, and heir 
of his brother Robert; married Elizabeth 
Cook ; buried in St. George’s, Southwark, 
in 1667. He added much to the convenience 
of the parsonage-house at Doddington. 


John. Lancelot. Henry engaged in the 
royal cause, and un¬ 
fortunately killed by his 
own soldiers at Banbury, 
forgetting the watch-word. 


-Mary= 


- Lowe, esq. 


—Dorothy=Lawrence Oxborough. 
—Susan=John Riches. 

—Frances=Francis Fortescue. 

— Anne—- Brent. 

—Elizabeth=Sir Anthony Chester. 


Sir Edward, 2d baronet, 
M.P, for Cambridgeshire 
custos rotulorum, afterwards 
quarrelled with the court, 
and siding against king Charles, 
suffered so much in the cause, 

that he sold Iselham and ruined 

the whole estate : died 1657. 
By first wife, Matilda Livesey 


John died 

S.P. 


I I 

Robert. William. 


Thomas, slain 
in Holland. 


Edward. Roger. Mary. 


John. 


I 

William. 


Elizabeth. Ann. Alice mar- Frances 
ried Sir John 
Peyton, knt. of 
Doddington. 


Thomas 
married 
Alice, daughter 
of Sir J ohn 
Peyton the 
younger, of 
Doddington. 


—Dorothy. 
—Susan. 


John Peyton, created 
baronet 10th Decem¬ 
ber 1660, died unmar¬ 
ried in London, and 
was buried in the 
chancel of Doddington 
25th December 1660. 


Algernon, created baronet in 1666, 
(18th Charles II,) succeeded to 
the estate, and married Frances, 
daughter and heir of Sir Robert 
Sewster, of Raveley; buried at 
Doddington 23d May 1671. 


== Second wife, Jane, daughter of Sir James Calthorpe. 


Third wife, Dorothy, daughter of 
Edward Ball, esq. of Stockwell. 


Sir John married daughter 
of Sir Edward Bellingham. 

First wife died in 1666, 
buried at St. Giles’, London, 

(no issue.) —Second 


Edward. 

_Edward. 

—Robert. 
—Henry. 


—Robert. | 

—Samuel. Thomas, of Rougham, 
who married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Sir William 
Yelverton, of Rougham, 
1683. 


Jane. 


Edward married 
daughter of an 
Italian merchant. 


Joseph, 

.. I 

\ mcont. 


—Alice. 

— Anne. 

— Elizabeth. 
— Judith. 


Henry embraced a 
military life, made 
brigadier-general, 
and governor of 
Galloway, in Ireland; 
died unmarried in 1724, 
a good Christian and 
brave soldier. 


—Dorothy died young. 

—Elizabeth=Gregory Parlet,. 

of Downham. 

—Alice=John Nalson, LL.D. 
rector of Doddington and 
prebendary of Ely, known 
for his useful writings. 


—M e 


ary. 


wife, daughter of 
-Hobart. 


Signora Angioln, 
married at Venice. 


Sir Sewster, master of the buck hounds to 
queen Anne : he married Ann, second daughter 
of George Dashwood, of London, sister to Sir 

Robert Dashwood of Korthbrook, Oxon.bart. 

Richard Dashwood, of CW and the late colonel 
Dasliwood, of Peyton Hall: died 28th December 
1717 ; buried in the chancel of Doddingtc 


Ann married Philip Bell, 
of Watlington, esq. 


Algerina married George 
Dashwood, of Peyton Hall, 
Suffolk, youngest son of 
GeoTge Dashwood, of 
London* 


_ (Vide Engraving.) 


Edward died 
young. 


Sir John served Thomas, 
in several military 
stations; attainted 
in the time of king 
James II. and restored 
by king William ; mar¬ 
ried 3 wives, no issue : 
succeeded by his cousin, 

Sir Yelverton Peyton: 
died in Ireland 1721. 


Martha. 


Thomas. William, Robert. Charles, Yelverton. 
of Dublin. of Grimston, 

married Eliza¬ 
beth Bladewell. 


Sir Yelverton, captain of 
the Hector man oi war, 
died 1748. 


Bladewell. William. Charles. 


h 


Sir Thomas Peyton bart. married in 1732, 
the only daughter of Thomas Skevington, 
of Skevington, Leicestershire, esq. by 
Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Dugdale, 
and grand-daugliter of Sir William Dugdale, 
(no issue) : high-sheriff for Cambridge and 
Huntingdon 1743 ; ob. 1771. 

(Vide Engraving.) 


Henry died S.P. in 1741, 
buried ot Doddingt on< 


1st. Anne married 
Richard Dashwood, 
of Cockley Cley, 
Norfolk, esq. 


3d. Henrietta 
died young. 


2d. Margaret married George Dashwood, esq 


Coleby, drowned 
at Lynn. 


Sir Charles Peyton. Mary. 


Elizabeth. 


John married first === Second wife, 
Dorothy, daughter daughter of Peter 
of James Altham, esq. Calvert, esq. 

John Peyton. Yelverton Peyton. 


Henry Dashwood, esq . took 
the name of Pe yton> and 
was created a baronet 17th August 
1776 , marne Frances, sister of 
the present earl of Stradbroke. 


James Dashwood, rector of Margaret. 
Doddington, died 1815. 


Penelope. 


Sir Henry Peyton. 

Henry Peyton, esq. married April 1827, 
Georgiana, third daughter of Sir Christ¬ 
opher Bethel Codrington, bart. of 
Doddington Park, Gloucestershire, by 
Harriet Georgiana Caroline, eldest 
daughter of Thomas, lord Foley. 


Algernon Peyton, in holy orders, 
married June 1811, Isabella Ann, 
youngest daughter of Thomas 
Hussey, esq. of Gattrein, in the 
county of Meath, M.P. by Mary, 
youngest daughter of Horatio 
Walpole, earl of Orford. 


Fram es married to 
kev, jfohn Haggitt. 


I 


Louisa married to Charlotte died 
David Pennant, esq. unmarried, 
of Downing, Flintshire. 


Harriet married to Thomas 
Kingscote, esq. of Kingscote, 
Gloucestershire. 










































































































* 

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" ’ . 1 ' • ........ 

' 













• !* 













>• ; . 






■ 

• ' 

' 

* 








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• " • ’ • 

. ' * 
















* 









'K 
























' 





* 

, 

■ 














EMNETH. 


529 


preserving the dignity of their ancestors. We witness 
from time to time new men rising to sudden honours 
and obtaining great wealth, and themselves or their 
descendants as suddenly falling into obscurity, whilst 
this distinguished race, whose ancestors have held many 
of the highest offices in church and state, still retain a 
most truly respectable rank in society. 

We lament the demolition of the venerable building 
of Hagbech Hall, and our concern is increased by the 
reflection, that it has gone far to perpetuate the absence 
of a family which was long the ornament and delight 
of this neighbourhood, whose courtesy gratified, and 
whose elegance refined, all who had the honour of their 
acquaintance; and we feel the loss the more acutely, 
inasmuch as amid many conspicuously valuable and 
meritorious characters, we have few or none qualified 
by their rank and fortune to take the lead amongst us, 
and thereby to give weight to our proceedings, and 
polish and elevation to our manners. It is, nevertheless, 
some consolation, that there is a worthy scion of this 
very ancient and honourable stock still in our vicinity, 
the rector of Doddington, who is characterized by his 
warmth of attachment to the local interests of this 
country, and his anxiety to devote his time and talents 
to the furtherance of every object of public utility, and 
especially of those great works of drainage which were 
the care of his ancestors, at the period when the general 
improvement of the fens was first contemplated; for we 
find the name of Sir John Peyton in the celebrated 
Lynn law, in the time of Charles I.* and also that of 
Robert Peyton confirming the act of sew 7 ers in 1636. 


* See page 41. 


530 


HISTORY OF 


Henry Peyton, esq. the eldest son of the baronet, has 
lately attained the age of twenty-one years, and has 
married Georgiana, the daughter of Sir Christopher 
Bethel Codrington, bart. of Doddington Park, in Glou¬ 
cestershire. 

The arms are sable, a cross engrailed, or, with a 
crescent for distinction. Crest, on a wreath, a gryphon 
sciant, or, the tail between the under legs, and over the 
back, vert. Motto, “ Patior, Potior.” 

At the extremity of the hamlet of Emneth, towards 
the south, is an old house on the left hand side of the 
turnpike road leading to Downham, near the village of 
Outwell, and about five miles distant from Wisbech ; the 
building is humble in its exterior, and thatched, dis¬ 
covering, however, some antiquity in the style of building'. 
There is no particular history attached to it, only that it 
has been known by the name of Emneth Lodge.* On 
one of the wings are certain characters carved as under : 

MANINMIRTHHAAE 

MERSEAINMINDFORMESAREIS 

tresaRmhenmirthisat^nd 

The decyphering whereof may thus be read : 

Man in mirth, have mercy in mind, 

For measure is treasure when mirth is at end : 

Which has induced many to imagine, that at some 
period, this dwelling has been used as a house of public 
reception for strangers and travellers. 


* See Engraving. 












































































OUTWELL. 


531 


OUTWELL, 

According to domesday book, belonged to the abbey of 
Ramsey, and is said to have had sixteen borderers* there, 
with lands valued at five shillings per annum. The 
capital manor lay in Upwell, but extended into Outwell. 
Dugdale calls it the town of Welle, which was before 
called Wylla,T as having its site on a river, viz. the 
ancient Nene, which passed through this town, and fell 
into the Ouse at Salters-Lode. On the dissolution of 
the abbey in 38th Henry VIII., it was granted to 
Edmund Beaupre, of Beaupre Hall, on payment of a 
fee farm rent. A patent of king Edward III., in his 23d 
year, (1348,) shews that a hermitage dedicated to Saint 
Christopher once stood in the king’s highway, with a 
chapel thereto belonging, near to the church, although 
every trace of such a building is now lost; it is in the 
recollection of old persons in the parish now living, that 
there used to be a sluice named Hermitage Sluice, across 
the Well river, near to the turnpike gate called Mullicourt 
Bar, which leads to the presumption, that at some period 
an ancient chapel may have stood near to such situation, 
which being distant about a quarter of a mile from the 
church, agrees with the above description, as having been 
on the king’s highway, and near to the church. 

Mullicourt priory was also in this parish, which was of 
the order of St. Benedict, and stood on the left of Well 
river coming from Wisbech, a little beyond the above 
turnpike gate called Mullicourt Bar, which priory 
appears to have been founded in the time of the Saxons. 


* For description of bordars or borderers, see page 120, (Note.) 
f Dugdale, page 307, a.d. 1338. 

2 L 


532 


HISTORY OF 


Inundations of water, both fresh and salt, produced such 
sterility, and rendered the ground in this particular so 
poor, that, added to the great expenses and charges in 
repairing the lands and houses, there was not mainte¬ 
nance left sufficient to support one monk, wherefore by 
licence of Henry VI. it was united and appropriated 
to the priory of Ely. The site and lands are now vested 
in the dean and chapter of Ely, and by virtue of a 
lease from that body, are at this time held by the repre¬ 
sentatives of the late amiable bishop Horne, of Norwich, 
who must ever rank high as a sincere and exemplary 
Christian. 

The village of Outwell lies on both sides of the river, 
like that of Up well, next mentioned; both together form a 
street three or four miles long. 

The church is dedicated to St. Clement, and is a large 
handsome building, consisting of a nave, with north and 
south aisles, and a chancel embattled with stone and 
brick; it has a square tower, with a ring of six bells and a 
town clock. The church stands in what was formerly an 
island, the best half of which forms the church yard, and 
is in the deanery of Fincham, and the archdeaconry of 
Norwich, though the rectorial house and part of the parish 
are in Cambridgeshire, and in the diocese of Norwich. In 
one of the chambers of this house were the arms of 
bishop Alcock, with his device on two other panes of 
glass, viz. a cock on a mound. # The rectory is in the 
gift of the bishop of Ely. The altar is on one step, and 
railed in. The length of the church is seventy-eight feet, 
and in the nave is a handsome brass eagle,f now placed 

* Coles’ MSS. 

t The brazen eagle, which is often used for a reading desk, is very 
ancient. It was meant to designate St. John. Fosbroke, vol. i. page 30d. 


OUTWELL. 


533 


over the font; the roofs of the aisles are beautifully 
carved, that of the south aisle is supported by saints and 
angels, bearing scrolls in their hands, and the anchor, the 
emblem of St. Clement, carved thereon. There is a 
south porch with a chamber over it, formerly used as a 
parish school; at the east end of the south aisle, inclosed 
within a screen, is the chapel of St. Mary, the former 
burial place of the Beaupre family. The pavement is of 
black and white marble, for which pavement and a monu¬ 
ment, Beaupre Bell (the last of that name who lived at 
the hall and died in 1741) left £ 150. There is a window 
in this chapel, with a considerable quantity of beautiful 
painted glass, representing several figures of saints, 
apostles, &c. done in a lively and masterly manner. The 
top figure is the ancient and profane representation of the 
Almighty,*' in robes of blue, seated in a chair of gold, 
with the globe in his hand; and also a representation, in 
very vivid colours, of a chalice, with the eucharist; figures 
also of St. Edmund the king, St. Edward the confessor, 
St. Anthony, St. Lawrence, &c. 

Against the south-east wall of this chapel stands a 
very lofty grey marble monument, raised from the ground, 
on the summit whereof is the shield ot Beaupre, with 
its quarterings, and an inscription, “ Edmundus de 
“ Beaupre Armiger, qui obt quarto decimo die mensis 
“ Feb. ao. dni. millesimo quingent. sexagesimo septimo 
“ cujus animse p’pit,” &c. In the compartments of a 
window near to another beautifully roofed chapel, on the 
north side of the church, are two full length paintings 


* In the church of St. Lateran, of Rome, behind the high altar, stands 
a chair, in which God is said to have sat, and whoever sitteth therein hath 
the third part of all his sins released. Blomef eld’s History of Norfolk . 

2 l 2 


534 


HISTORY OF 


in glass, of Moses and Aaron, the latter in his robes 
as high priest; one of the figures is less perfect tha^n the 
other. In this church there appear formerly to have 
been five guilds, viz. of Corpus Christi, St. Mary, St. 
Christopher, St. John, and St. Clement, and numerous 
memorials of the interment of the ancient family of the 
Bells, from 1513* to 1741. 

The east chapel of the north aisle was appropriated 
formerly to the family of Fincham, whose arms abounded 
in the stone-work and windows. About the middle of 
this ancient chapel, to the north, is an old grey marble, 
with a plate of brass, and this inscription: “Hicjacet 
“ Margaret Haultoft, quonda ux Gilberti Haultoft, uniu 
“ Baron, sccii nup. dni Henrici VI. Reg. Angl. cuj. aie 
“ ppciett D.” This Margaret Haultoft was mother to 
an heiress, who married a Fincham, for the Fincham 
arms,t quartering Haultoft, are in stone on the outside 
of the chapel, over the east window, and several times 
within, so that it may be supposed that a son by this 
marriage was the founder of this chapel. Within the 
chancel lies the body of John Fincham, esq. who died 
in 1709, in the 80th year of his age; another of the 
family lies buried in the north aisle of Elm church before 
mentioned.Also the stone shields, which support the 
beams and roof of this chapel, are the arms of the 
Finchams. A Gilbert Haultoft acted at a session of 
sewers held at Wisbech in 1580.§ 

* See page 539. 

t See page 41. The arms of Fincham are engraved five times on the 
garden wall on the right hand of the King’s Gate in Trinity college, Cam¬ 
bridge, that wall being built by Thomas Fincham, a fellow of King’s hall, 
near the seniority, in 1485. Coles' MSS. 

t See page 503. 


Coles’ MSS. 


OUTWELL. 


535 


In the ehancel is a monumental stone “ To the memory 
“ of Elizabeth, the beloved wife of the Rev. William 
“ Hardwicke, rector of the parish, who died 7th June 
“ 1826, in the 37th year of her age.” 

There are two ancient bridges over the Well river, 
one called the Isle, and the other the Norfolk bridge; 
upon the former is carved an anchor, the emblem of the 
saint to whom the church is dedicated. This river is the 
boundary of the county of Norfolk from the isle of Ely, 
the north side thereof being in Norfolk, and the south 
side in the isle. 

The parish registers extant commence in the year 1559, 
but without the signature of either rector or curate, from 
whence may be collected the names of the following 
rectors. 

A.D. 

1578 William Stanton. About this time the rector is 
said to have a parsonage, &c., and three acres of 
arable and three acres of pasture adjoining to his 
house. This pasture is supposed to have been 
purchased and given to the church. 

1598 Andrew Bradenham. In his answer to king James' 
queries, in 1603, he says there were 320 commu¬ 
nicants in his parish. 

1617 Samuel Calverley, A.M. presented by the king. 
1654 John Leigh, A.M. admitted by the commissioners 
at Whitehall, appointed for the approbation of 
public preachers. 

1709 Thomas Pyle, A.M. on the death of the Rev. John 
Leigh, presented by the bishop of Ely. 

1722 Simon Hamlen, who acted as a magistrate fof the 
isle of Ely many years. 


536 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

1758 Henry Southwell. 

1760 Richard Oram, also rector of Leverington. 

1771 Ambrose Eyre, also rector of Leverington. 

1796 Timothy Matthews. 

1804 William Hardwicke, M.A. 

In the register of burials, a.d. 1769, March 14th, 
appears the following entry : 

William dagger, infant, A These were the children of 
Elizabeth Jagger, infant, f Mary, the wife of Samuel 
Mary Yallop, infant, f Blockley, by her husbands, 
John Blockley, infant. j Jagger, Yallop, and Blockley, 
who all lost their lives by the injudicious use of a mercurial 
preparation for a certain cutaneous disease, and were all 
buried in the same grave. 

There is a manor called Bardolph, in Outwell, which 
belonged to baron Haultoft, who left it to his daughter, 
and at length it came by marriage to Thomas Fincham, 
esq. in which family it remained for many years, when 
it became the property of Heaton Wilkes, esq. brother 
of John Wilkes, who at one period was engaged in many 
political struggles,* and was sold by him to the late 
James Lee, esq. of Upwell, Mr. Boyce, and Mr. Allenby, 
the latter of whom disposed of his portion in lots, but 
the remaining part is still enjoyed by the two other 
gentlemen, or their representatives. The house in the 
occupation of the widow of Robert Atkin, situated 
nearly opposite to Beaupre Hall, on the right hand 
side of the canal from Wisbech, is supposed to have 


* John Wilkes died in December 1797: he published several political 
pamphlets and speeches. 


OUTWELL. 


537 


been built upon the site where the mansion of the 
Fincham family stood. # Formerly a stone cross stood 
at the boundary of this parish, called by Dugdale, the 
stone cross of Welle,f near the corner where Berryal 
field, Needham Sayers field, and Cotton common, join 
in Outwell, close to a cottage built some time since by 
Mr. Holman ; no remains of this cross now exist, though 
the tradition is prevalent, that a chapel belonging to one 
of the guilds before mentioned stood at this junction. 
The history of Norfolk mentions a school at Outwell, 
which seems to have been an error, as there is no record 
of its existence, nor of any lands having ever belonged 
to a foundation of that nature ; nor has the site of such 
a building ever been ascertained. It appears that in the 
13th year of king Edward III. a pipe was ordered to be 
laid in the bank of Christian de Beaupre,J opposite to 
the school , yet a doubt arises whether the word ought 
not to have been written “ sholl,” meaning a drain or 
sewer, as afterwards in 20th Henry VIII. (1528,)§ u the 
sholle of Outwell” is ordered to be scoured out, and in 
1589,|! it is recited that the fen called Needham and 
Berryal Fen, lying in Elm and Well, had anciently 
been drained into the little lode, called the “ sholle,” 
at the stone cross, and so by Well river into Ouse at 
Salters-Lode. 


The Benefactions . 

Lynnis’ dole, arising from the rent of eight acres of 
land in Elm, is distributed annually on Christmas eve, 
to the poor on the Norfolk side of the parish. 

* The last of the Fincham family was buried in 1709. See page 534. 
t Dugdale, page 316, a.d. 1380. t Ibid, page 308. § Ibid. 330. 

|| Ibid, page 348. 


538 


HISTORY OF 


Lambert’s dole, consisting of one pound, out of the 
rent of a farm in Elm, for the use of the poor on both 
sides of the parish. Besides which, several other parcels 
of land have been left for benevolent purposes, viz. 

The rent arising from a house and three acres of land 
in Outwell, in the isle, distributed to the poor on 
both sides of the parish annually, on old Christmas 
day. 

Also eight acres of land in Outwell, isle, distributed 
at the same time. 

Also eleven acres of land in Euximore drove, in 
Up well. 

Also ten acres adjoining the above. 

Also three acres of land in Emneth, the rents of 
which are distributed on old Christmas day. 

It is a singular circumstance, that there is no record 
to be found as to the names of the persons by whom, or 
the time when the said five last mentioned parcels of 
land were given. Feoffees are occasionally appointed 
from among the parishioners, who collect the rents and 
distribute the amount at the appointed periods. Until 
within the last twenty-six years, the rent arising from 
these lands was distributed in fourpenny loaves to every 
parishioner, who would accept the same, without dis¬ 
tinction of rich and poor, and the overplus, if any, was 
applied to the repairs of the causeways, bridges, and 
church bells. From that time to the present, the 
feoffees have discontinued the above distribution of the 
loaves, and appropriated the rent as follows —£ 10. to 
the overseers of the poor in aid of the rates; £ 10. to 
the churchwardens for repairs of the church, and the 
expense of sending to school a portion of the children 


OUTWELL. 


539 


of the poor: the surplus remaining is then distributed 
among the poor. The average amount of the produce 
of the above charities is estimated at £ 70. per annum. 

By the population return made under the act 1 st 
George IV. taken in 1821, there appeared to be 201 
males, and 197 females, making together 398. 

Beauprd Hall Manor. 

The site of this manor is in Outwell, in Norfolk, and takes 
its name, “ Beaupre,” or “ de Bello Prato,” from the fine 
meadows which surround it. The first lord of this manor 
on record is Sir Thomas de Saint Omer, in the reign of 
Henry III. This family is on the roll # amongst those 
persons of note and eminence who came over with William 
the Conqueror. Hugh de St. Omer is mentioned as a 
baron of the realm by Matthew Paris, and no doubt was 
seated here near the time of the conquest. The daughter 
and heiress of Sir Thomas de St. Omer, who lived in the 
reign of Henry I., married John, son of Gilbert de Beaupre, 
whose ancestors had considerable possessions. Nicholas, 
a descendant, who died in 1513, was buried in the chapel 
of St. Mary, in the church of Outwell, amongst his 
ancestors, leaving a son, Edmund, who died in 1567, and 
whose daughter, Dorothy, married Sir Robert Bell, 
whereby the manor of Beaupre was vested in his family 
in 1559, and so continued until the death of Beaupr& 
Bell, esq. in 1741. 

Sir Robert £ unhappily caught his death, from a 
pestilential fever at Oxford assizes, in 1577. Beaupr& 


* See copy of the roll of Battle Abbey, page 520. 


t Seepage 523. 


540 


HISTORY OF 


Bell, the fourth lineal descendant from Sir Robert, 
married Margaret, daughter of Sir Anthony Oldfield, 
of Spalding, baronet, in 1720, and by whom he had 
one son, Beaupre Bell, and two daughters, of whom 
the youngest married William Greaves, esq. of Fulbournc, 
Cambridgeshire. The son was educated at Westminster 
school, afterwards admitted of Trinity college, Cambridge, 
and soon commenced a genuine and able antiquary. 
He made considerable collections of church notes in 
his own and the neighbouring counties, all which he 
bequeathed to the college where he received his 
education. Beaupre Bell, sen. had many singularities, 
hardly allowing his son necessaries, and suffering his 
house to be much dilapidated. He had five hundred 
horses of his own breeding,* many above thirty years 
old, unbroke, which he allowed to come even into the 
very hall, then uncovered. On his death the son 
succeeded to his estate, which he did not long enjoy, 
and dying of a consumption unmarried, in 1741, left the 
reversion, after the death of his sister, (who was then un¬ 
married) with his books, valuable medals, seals, drawings, 
and coins, to Trinity college, Cambridge; but his sister 
afterwards marrying William Greaves above mentioned, 
the entail was cut off. This last Mr. Bell was buried 
in the family burying place in St. Mary’s chapel, in 
Outwell church. The ancient hall was a building of 
considerable note, but after it had suffered so much by 
dilapidations, a great part of it was entirely taken down, 
and the residence fitted up in an elegant manner by Mr. 
Greaves, who expended a large sum of money on its 


* This number of horses seems immense, but it is said the earl of 
Uxbridge had as many, and the late duke of Ancaster’s brother in 1786 
had 1500. 

















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UPWELL. 


541 


reparation. The hall, together with the manor, is now 
the property of Richard Greaves Townley, esq. of 
Fulbourne, whose brother, the Rev. William Gale 
Townley, rector of Upwell, now resides in the mansion.* 
The family of Beaupre Bell had intermarriages with 
many principal families in Norfolk, &c. 

In the History of the Gentlemen’s Society at Spalding, 
in Lincolnshire, are several particulars relative to the 
family of Beaupre. Maurice Johnson, esq. a native of 
Spalding, afterwards of the inner temple, London, was 
the founder of the Spalding society.^ 

Mr. Greaves was also in correspondence with this 
society. He was elected by the university of Cambridge 
their commissary in 1726, which office he resigned in 
a handsome manner, and presented a piece of plate, value 
£ 50. to his college. 

In a list of the Spalding members in 1729, appear the 
names of Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Hans Sloane, Sir Richard 
Ellis, doctors Bentley and Stukely, Mr. Pope, Mr. Gay, 
Mr. Rogers, Messrs. Maurice and Walter Johnson, and 
commissary Greaves. Beaupre Bell is also spoken of 
with honour, as giving weight to the proceedings of this 
learned body. 

UPWELL 

Lies in the hundred and half of Clackclose, on the 
western part of Norfolk, together with Outwell, but 
although the greater part lies in Norfolk, still a con- 

* The annexed Engraving represents the ancient venerable hall of 
Beaupre, in the original state, previous to the dilapidations. 

t See the History of this Society. 


542 


HISTORY OF 


siderable part is in the isle of Ely. On the dissolution 
of religious houses, the hundred was separated from the 
half hundred.* The estate, which was vested in the 
crown, was granted 7th Edward VI. to John Dudley, 
duke of Northumberland, who conveyed it next day to 
Edmund Beaupre, esq. of Outwell. 

The church is a handsome pile of building, dedicated 
to St. Peter, consisting of a nave and two aisles, it has a 
wooden roof, with numerous projecting figures of angels, 
their wings expanded, beautifully carved. The chancel 
is of stone, embattled with brick, and covered with lead. 
The length of the nave is seventy-one feet. In this 
church is a handsome brass eagle, supported by three 
lions, which is placed over the clerk’s seat, and serves as 
a desk.f The nave is supported by neat pillars, forming 
six handsome arches on each side, with as many windows 
over them. At the east end of this nave, on the south 
side, is a stone turret, and a staircase, which led to the 
rood loft,J and on the north side is a table of benefactors. 
The church stands in the county and archdeaconry of 
Norfolk, diocese of Norwich, and deanery of Fincham. 
The reason of this church, and a few others in the same 
deanery and county of Cambridge, being out of the diocese 
of Ely, and in that of Norwich, is, that this part being 
the east side of the old boundary between the Mercians 

* In 1683, a robbery being committed near Shouldliam Thorpe and 
Stradset, the township of Upwell and Outwell refused to pay certain pro¬ 
portions charged upon them, whereupon a suit of law was commenced, 
they pretending to be in the liberty of the half hundred of Clackclose. 
But on a full hearing, it was decreed by Sir Robert Adkins, lord chief baron 
in 1689, that they should forthwith pay their shares, being members and 
parts of the hundred of Clackclose. 
t See page 532. 


t See page 242. 


UPWELL. 


543 


and the East Angles, never made a part of the old diocese 
of Lincoln, out of which that of Ely was taken, but 
belonged to the bishop of the diocese which is now 
fixed at Norwich. 

In the tower of the church hang six large bells, with a 
town clock. The altar stands on an elevation of three 
steps, railed in, and the altar piece is very neat. 
There is a place for holy water in the south wall near 
to the east. It has a porch of stone, covered with 
lead, and a room over it. On the old door are several 
swans carved, probably as a rebus, signifying some bene¬ 
factor of that name. The north aisle has a neat oak 
roof, with angels, &c. as the nave, and on the braces are 
many swans carved.* At the east end of this aisle have 
been a chapel and altar. The south aisle has also a roof 
of the same work as the north, ornamented with 
swans. A small neat organ is fixed up in the church, 
purchased and presented to the parish by the present 
worthy rector. There was formerly a screen, removed 
about seven years since, which divided the chancel from 
the nave, whereon was painted our Saviour bearing his 
cross, the ascension, the descent of the Holy Ghost on 
the apostles, the trinity, and an altar, with a cup and 
wafer supported by two bishops. The chancel roof is also 
supported by angels, as the nave, but not of equal 
beauty. In the chancel is a marble grave stone, with a 
plate cf brass, on which is the portraiture of the man and 


* About the fifteenth century, nothing was more usual than to transmit 
to posterity the names of benefactors, persons interred, &c. by way of rebus 
or hieroglyphical marks. Thus, in the chapel of St. Erasmus, at Westmins¬ 
ter, built by Abbott Islip, an eye, with a slip of a tree,—a youth slipping 
from the branch of the tree, with a label in his mouth, “ 1 slip. 


544 


HISTORY OF 


his wife, behind the man kneel seven sons, and behind the 
wife, four daughters. These represent the eleven children 
of Sinolphus Bell, esq. and Jane, his wife. There are 
some lines to the memory of the said Jane Bell, who 
died in 1621, ait. 62. 

Above the screen before mentioned, which fronted 
the chancel, was a large piece of painting, representing 
the church of England, by a venerable matron clothed in 
white, crowned, and seated on a throne: at her feet 
were the words, “ The Church of England :” on her 
knees lay the bible and common prayer book, &c. In 
her left hand she held a cup, by which was written “Drink 
“ ye all of this.” Her right hand pointed to a font, 
round which stood godfathers and godmothers, &c. and 
an infant in the arms of one, and the words “ Suffer 
“ little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” 
Over the head of the venerable matron, “ Many daughters 
“ have done well, but thou exceedest them all.” Near 
the matron was the communion table spread, and com¬ 
municants on their knees, with a poem underneath. 
Here are several tombstones in memory of the families of 
Butler, Ashton, Dymond, Audley, &c. In the church 
yard is an inclosure, surrounded with iron rails, to the 
memory of the Rev. Hugh James, a former rector. It 
is stated, that he inclosed this piece of ground for 
himself and family, as thinking it “ a custom of too 
“ much presumption and too little piety, to defile the 
“ house of the most holy God with the contemptible 
“carcases of sinful men.” Sir Matthew Hale used to 
say the churches were for the living, and the church 
yards for the dead. Mr. James married Philippa, of 
the ancient and honourable family of Hobarts, near 
Loddon, in Norfolk, by whom he had Lucy, who married 


UPWELL. 


545 


Mr. Thomas Audley, of Upwell, and died in 1740, 
set. 68. There is also an inscription to Thomas Audley, 
who died in 1739. 

Here also was a priory of Gilbertines, dedicated to the 
Virgin Mary, it was a cell to Sempringham, in Norfolk, 
founded in the reign of king John, and valued at the 
dissolution at £ 13. 65. 1 \d. This seems to have been 
situated on the isle side, near to the church bridge, and 
was some time since purchased by Mr. Edmund Saffery, of 
Downham, of T. G. Ewen, esq. of the city of Norwich. 

Marmound priory, decayed many years since, was also 
in this parish, in that part which lies in the isle of Ely 
and county of Cambridge, dedicated to the Virgin 
Mary, having been founded by king Richard I., who 
gave three hundred acres of fine pasture in Upwell and 
Outwell, to have the prayers of three priests in the said 
house. In 1520, as appears by documents, the state of 
the house was then very mean. It was surrendered at 
the time of the dissolution of monasteries, and then 
valued at £ 10. Is. Id. The estate belonging to this 
priory was granted by queen Elizabeth to Percival 
Bowes and John Moryer, and by various mesne convey¬ 
ances, the same is now become the property of Mr. Bacon, 
by purchase from Thomas Audley, esq. late of Lynn. It 
lies on the road leading from Upwell to March. In 33d 
Henry VIII., Thomas Manners, earl of Rutland, had a 
grant of the manors of Upwell, Outwell, Elm, and 
Emneth. # In 1539, the rectory was presented as a 


* Dugdale’s Baronetage, vol. ii. page 296. See also Coles’ MSS. vol. 35. 
The noble family of Manners does not at this day hold any manor or estate 
in this parish, or in the immediate district, but from their possessions in 
other parts of Cambridgshire, this family has always held a considerable 


546 


HISTORY OF 


grant from the abbot of Ramsey ; after this the patronage 
came to Edmund Beaupre, esq. from whom it descended 
to the present patron, Richard Greaves Townley, esq* 
The living is valued in the king’s books at <£16. This 
very populous and extensive village lies on each side 
of the navigable river Nene, which divides the counties 
of Norfolk and Cambridge. The parsonage house is a 
handsome, venerable building, standing on the south sick 


share of influence in the public transactions of the county, as well as in its 
representation, which has been frequently conferred upon the younger 
branches of this ancient lineage, the duties of which have been discharged 
by them with marked satisfaction on the part of their constituents. Many 
of this noble family we know were heretofore possessed of great dignity 
and power, and became conspicuous in the state, as well as distinguished in 
the historical annals of the country. John, marquis of Granby, grand¬ 
father of the present duke, was celebrated as a warrior. In the rebellion 
of 1745, he raised a regiment of foot at his own expense, for the defence of 
the country against the rebels, and on many occasions displayed eminent 
skill, accompanied by personal valor ; and when lord George Sackville was 
appointed to the command of the British and Hanoverian horse, at the 
battles of Minden, Warburg, &c., the marquis of Granby was his second, 
and prince Ferdinand, after the battle, ordered it to be declared to lieutenant 
general, the marquis of Granby, that he was persuaded, “ if he had had 
“ the good fortune to have had him at the head of the cavalry of the right 
“ wing, his presence would have greatly contributed to make the decision of 
“ that day more complete and more brilliant.” The marquis dying in the 
lifetime of his father, the title descended to his son, Charles, who died in 
the year 1787, during his vice-royalty of Ireland, leaving John Henry, 
the present duke, his heir. Lord Robert Manners, the uncle of the present 
duke, was connected with the glories of our navy, and lost his life at an 
early period in that splendid and decisive victory obtained by lord Rodney 
over the count de Grasse in 1782. John, the third duke, as well as Charles, 
the late duke, were both patrons of the arts, in the fullest extent of that 
word, for they were not content to look at and admire the dawning of genius 
in the infant mind, but sought out excellence wherever it could be 
found, and cherished and protected it. John Henry, the present duke, 
accomplished as he is with all polite learning, does honour to his country 
and the age, by patronizing the arts, whilst Belvoir Castle continues to 
possess one of the best collections of paintings in the kingdom. His grace, 


tJPWELL 


547 


of the church yard, within a brick wall, with two high 
turrets on it. The house and church stand by the large 
bridge, on the side of the river which runs through the 
town. There are also some good houses in the village, 
particularly a house once belonging to the famous John 
Wilkes, esq.* inhabited v at one time by Francis 
Dixon, esq. receiver general of the county of Cam¬ 
bridge, and a considerable merchant here, who acted 
as steward for Mr. Wilkes’ estate in this parish. In 
the 4th king John, (1202) the town was of such account, 
that it appears from the pipe roll, that the then abbot, as 
lord of it, had a “ mercate ” here. Also king Henry VI. 
granted to the bishop of Ely, and John, abbot of 
Ramsey, one common and one open market weekly, with 
a fair yearly on St. Peter’s Day, at Up well, with all the 
profits, &c. 

In the 18th century were the following rectors : 

A.D. 

\ 

1701 Hugh James, D.D. presented by Beaupre Bell, esq. 
1740 Timothy Rutter, 

1757 Richard Walker, D.D. by William Greaves, esq. 
1765 Edward Pemberton, by ditto, 


inflexibly guided by honour and principle, is rich in that satisfaction which 
arises from the practice of every kind and generous feeling that can adorn 
the human heart. His brother, lord Charles, served in the Peninsular 
war with high reputation, and received marks of confidence from the 
illustrious Wellington, who, by his unparalleled victory of Waterloo, 
achieved the safety of the country, and the tranquillity of the world, and 
raised the British name to the highest pitch of eminence. Lord Charles 
has been lately promoted to the rank of major general in the army. His 
lordship at this period represents the county of Cambridge, in the seventh 
successive parliament, a proof of the high estimation in which his public 
character is held. 


* See page 536. 

2 M 


548 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

1798 Jonathan Townley, by Richard Greaves Townley, 

esq. 

1812 William Gale Townley, by ditto. 

There is an ancient building near to the bridge of 
Upwell, which, by its appearance, seems, and is generally 
supposed, to have formerly belonged to some chapel or 
guild. It is the last house in Upwell, on the road to 
Outwell, and is the property of William Hopkins, but 
at present enjoyed by Mr. Thomas Berry, who has a 
life interest therein. What strengthens the idea of its 
having been an ancient religious house is, that there is 
a road or drove way adjoining, still called Pious Drove.* 

Hemp and flax have been cultivated in the isle of 
Ely near five hundred years, as appears by an order of 
sessions of sewers held at Wisbech 26th June, 14th 
Edward III., (1340,) when, amongst other things, it 
ivas ordered, that for the future no man should dig 
turves nor slacks in the common droves of Welle and 
Elm, for diving of flax or hemp in the common ditch 
or sewer, to the nuisance of the commonalty. The 
culture of this plant is not mentioned as new, and is 
therefore probably of a much more ancient date. 

In 1603, five hundred and twenty-five communicants 
were returned to be in the parish, and by the last 
population returns in 1821, there appeared to be five 
hundred and sixty-five males, and five hundred and 
eighty-three females, together eleven hundred and forty 
eight, being an increase of two hundred and fifteen 
within the last ten years. 

* Bishop Tanner’s Not. Monast. mentions a small priory near Upwell, 
called Thurling : the value per annum £ 9. and was part of Sir Thomas 
Gresham’s estate, which he left to his wife, Ann, about 1579. Coles’ MSS. 


UPWELL. 


549 


The following benefactions are recorded : 

Thomas Lamb, of Upwell, gave by will to the poor of a.d. 
this parish, in Norfolk and the isle of Ely, a messuage 1562. 
and three acres of land, in Plawfield, Upwell, to which 
a parcel of land in Neat Moor, abutting on Popham’s Eau 
north, was allotted by the adventurers. The rents are 
distributed by the churchwardens at Christmas. 

John Fox by will gave to the poor of Upwell, in the 1626. 
isle, a house, with two acres of land, abutting on the 
river Nene. 

Also a lot in Euximoor, abutting on the sixteen-feet 
drain. 

Also to the poor of Upwell, in Norfolk, one house, abut¬ 
ting upon Small Load Creek, with a lot of land abutting 
upon Welney road ; the rent of both these bequests is 
distributed on Easter Monday. 

Also a house adjoining, abutting upon the said creek, 
with a lot in Neat Moor, the rents to be applied to the 
repairs of Upwell church. 

The profits of three acres of land in or near Adcock’s 
Hill, in high fen, and of 

Three acres in Shrews-nest, are distributed to the poor 
on the isle side. 

Matthew Batman gave by his will £5. per annum 
out of his estate for ever, to be distributed amongst the 
poor in the isle side, in clothes at Christmas. 

John Boss gave by will £ 10. to the poor in Upwell, in 
Norfolk, the interest or rent to be distributed in bread to 
the poor yearly. 

2 m 2 




550 


HISTORY OF 


Thomas Dixon gave £ 20. to the poor, both on the 
Norfolk and isle sides, the rent to be distributed in money 
on Good Friday. 

The rents of these several lands are given away in 
money on St. Thomas’ Day in every year, except where 
otherwise directed. 

The Rev. Gale Townley, the rector, has established 
and endowed a free school for the instruction of bovs 

J 

and girls from eight to eleven years of age, in useful 
learning. 

a.d. James Lee, esq. erected five almshouses for the like 
1819. number of poor widows, each to have ten bushels of 
coals at Christmas, besides their living free of rent in 
the house. There was formerly a quakers’ chapel in this 
town, situated about a quarter of a mile south-east of the 
church. The burial ground is still preserved, wherein 
are some memorials of the interment of persons of that 
persuasion. A devise of some land lying in Fakenham, 
in Norfolk, was left to poor persons of that belief, 
living in the parish of Upwell; but none of that denomi¬ 
nation being now resident in the parish, who claim the 
benefit of the charity, the funds arising from the land 
are applied towards the general benefit of the society. 

WELNEY. 

This hamlet lies on the bank of the old river Ouse, 
which formerly had its natural course that way. It has 
a chapel, which is an appendage to the rectory of 
Upwell. The old Bedford, and the Hundred Feet or new 
Bedford, rivers pass by this place. Great improvements 


YVELNEY. 


in this part of the country have lately taken place, and 
much praise is justly due to the Rev. Gale Townley, 
the rector, for his laudable exertions in contributing 
to the general amelioration. The road from the Downham 
turnpike to Littleport, leading to the Hundred Feet river, 
has been gravelled, and put into a good condition, so that 
the communication with Ely is much facilitated. Indeed 
the face of this country is entirely changed, and the 
traffic daily increasing, to the great advantage and accom¬ 
modation of owners and occupiers of estates, and other 
inhabitants in the neighbourhood, as well as of conse¬ 
quent public utility. The next object of importance 
was the operation of an act obtained in the year 1824, 
for amending the road from Cambridge to Ely, and other 
roads therein mentioned, and making a turnpike or branch 
road, from or near the towm of Littleport, to the ferry or 
floating bridge over the Hundred Feet river in Welney, 
which branch road is by the said act called that of the 
north-west district.** This object obtained, led to another 
plan for effecting a more certain communication for the 
public than the means afforded by the ferry, which the 
same worthy rector undertook at his private expense; and, 
considering that a suspension bridge was in its nature 
peculiarly well adapted for a country subject to be over¬ 
flowed, he resolved upon introducing one of those curious 
specimens of modern ingenuity and art, by constructing 
such an one, to be carried over the Hundred Feet 
river. He laid his plan before the hon. corporation 
of Bedford Level, with a proposal to erect such bridge, 
on being permitted to take a certain easy toll from 

* At this period (August, 1827) some spirited adventurers have signified 
their intentions to accommodate the public by establishing a coach, to run 
from Ely, along the new road, over the suspension bridge, through the 
towns of Upwell and Outwell, to Wisbech. 


552 


HISTORY OF 


all persons passing over it. The Bedford Level corpo¬ 
ration, applauding the public spirit of Mr. Townley, 
gave every facility to the accomplishment of the measure. 
The work was commenced forthwith, under the direction 
of captain Samuel Brown, of the royal navy, and this 
novel and beautiful structure was completed in the 
summer of 1826. The middle level is by this means 
united with the south, and a direct communication 
opened from Wisbech to Ely, by wayofUpwell, which 
in distance saves seven miles. It may be considered 
not only an object of novelty and admiration, as a piece 
of mechanism, but as affording convenience and delight 
to the traveller, and will be viewed hereafter as one of 
the greatest improvements introduced in this district, 
and thus the esteemed rector of Upwell has raised a 
monument of usefulness and worth to the fens, that will 
add lustre to and perpetuate his name. It may not be 
uninteresting to give a short description of the 

Suspension Bridge .* 

* 1 

The bridge is one hundred and ninety-one feet long, 
and in breadth fourteen feet; the platform or road of 
the bridge springs two feet in the centre, and five feet 
six inches above the general level of the bank, with a neat 
iron railing, five feet high, and three feet walk on each 
side for foot passengers. The bridge is supported by 
four principal suspending chains, driven twelve feet into 


* It was opened to the public on the 16 tli August 1826 , and the day being 
fine, a large part of the neighbouring gentry, and a considerable concourse 
of persons of all descriptions, attended, the former of whom dined on board 
the barge belonging to the honourable corporation of the Bedford Level, 
and the day was passed by all classes with the utmost harmony and con¬ 
viviality. 




























TujbllsTied/ by M. 8c J.£e<j.ch . Wis /\ u:A>. JS27. 


















































































































WELNEY. 


553 


the ground, rivetted end to end, and properly secured 
by coupling plates and bolts of proportional strength, 
with perpendicular suspenders supporting the lower bars, 
on which the beams of the bridge rest; the suspension 
rods are of different lengths, being nineteen in number 
on each side. The foundation of the structure consists 
of sixteen strong piles of timber to each of the two 
piers, driven twenty one feet in the.solid bed of gravel. 
A large iron plate, fixed twelve feet in the ground, forms 
a sort of bed, called the anchor, through which the 
chains run, and to which they are fastened. The pieis 
of the brick work are twelve feet high, and the cast 
iron piers twenty-one feet, making in all thirty-three 
feet from the foundation to the top of the pier. 

This work was executed by captain Brown, the estimate 
whereof was £2710, which certain alterations, with a 
toll house, &c. extended to £ 3000.; but even this sum 
will not cover all the expenses attending a work of this 
magnitude. 

Many coins of the Roman emperors were dug up at 
Welney about a.d. 1718.* Plates of these coins were 
engraved, and are amongst the valuables presented to 
Trinity college library by Beaupre Bell. 


The Welney Charity 

Is a noble benefaction, consisting of several pieces of 
ground in Upwell and Welney, given many years since 
by William Marshall, esq. who by indenture created 
certain trusts for the regulation of this excellent chaiity, 
an extract whereof now follows : 


* Coles’ MSS. 


554 


HISTORY OF 


a.d. u By indenture of feoffment, William Marshall, of 
1st Apl. Lincoln’s Inn, esq. conveyed to twelve feoffees therein 
1661. named, and to their heirs, nine pieces of fen ground, 
lying in Upwell and Welney hamlet, in the county 
of Norfolk, in a place there called the Weild, and in 
the parish of Littleport, in the isle of Ely, containing 
four hundred and seventy-nine acres, by a survey made 
in 1818, to hold upon trust, to receive the rents and 
profits of the said premises, and to distribute, dispose 
of, and pay the same in mariner following, viz. 

“ One-third part thereof in repairing the chapel of 
Welney aforesaid, and also the bridge over the river or 
stream thereof, for the inhabitants of the said hamlet 
to pass over the said bridge, to hear divine service and 
prayers in the chapel aforesaid. 

il Another third part thereof for relieving poor widows 
of Welney, and for putting and binding out poor 
infants apprentices. 

“ And the other third part thereof to be employed and 
laid out in repairing the highways within the metes and 
bounds of the same hamlet, as often as occasion should 
require. 

“ And upon further trust, that when so many of the 
said feoffees should die, or remove, or live out of the 
said hamlet, so that but one of them should be left, then 
those four, with such feoffees as should live out of the 
said hamlet, should, within six months after the same 
should so happen, convey all their right, &c. in the 
said premises, unto twelve of the most substantial in¬ 
habitants who were freeholders within the same hamlet, 
and to their heirs and assigns for ever, in trust for such 


WELNEY. 


ooo 


uses as thereinbefore declared, with a proviso that once in 
every year, and oftener, if occasion should require, the 
said feoffees, or the major part of them, should make up 
an account of the rents and profits of the said premises, 
and to what uses the same had been paid or distributed, 
and should cause such account to be entered in a book, 
and signed by the said feoffees, and openly produced at 
some public meeting of the parishioners ofWelney afore¬ 
said, there to be inspected and perused. 

“ The trusts of this orio;inal feoffment were from time A.n. 
to time, as the old feoffees died or quitted the hamlet of 1791. 
Welney, renewed by subsequent deeds, pursuant to the 
provision in that behalf made, down to the year 1791. 

Six of the feoffees named in a new feoffment deed exe¬ 
cuted in that year, having subsequently died, and the 
said charity estates having from improved drainages and 
other causes greatly increased in value, so that the 
rents and profits were more than sufficient to answer the 
particular uses and trusts contained in the original 
indenture of feoffment, and some parts of the rents 
and profits of the said charity estates remaining in the 
hands of the surviving feoffees,—an information was filed 
in the high court of Chancery in Hilary term 1805, by 1805. 
his majesty’s attorney general, at the relation of certain 
inhabitants ofWelney, against the then surviving feoffees, 
praying for an account of the money then in their hands, 
and that it might be referred to one of the masters of the 
said court, to approve of a scheme for the appropriation 
thereof, and of the further surplus of the rents of the said 
charity estates, after answering the purposes of the 
charity, specially directed by the indenture of 1st 
April 1661. Whereupon the master by his report 
certified, that it appeared to him, the rents and profits of 


556 


HISTORY OF 


the said charity estates were more than sufficient for 
the uses mentioned in the said deed of 1st April 1661. 
He also certified, that the hamlet of Welney aforesaid 
was situate in a remote part of the great level of the 
fens, called Bedford Level, and that, from the state 
of the roads during the winter season, the communica¬ 
tions therewith were at times very bad and difficult ; 
and that there not being any school in the said hamlet, 
the children of the poor inhabitants there were entirely 
debarred from all means of obtaining any useful 
instruction, other than from divine service performed in 
the said chapel once every Sunday ; and that the habits 
and conduct of many of the inhabitants, for want of 
such instruction, being in many instances irregular and 
incorrect; he had, under the circumstances aforesaid, 
and as directed by the said decretal order, proceeded 
to consider, and had approved of a scheme for an 
appropriation of the rents and profits, viz. 

“ That one full third part of the net rents and profits 
of the said charity estates should be annually laid out 
and employed for relieving and sustaining poor widows 
of the said hamlet, and for putting and binding out poor 
infants of the same hamlet apprentices, and for pro¬ 
viding them with apparel and clothing, if necessary, 
during their apprenticeship: that as much of the re¬ 
maining two third parts of the said rents and profits as 
should be requisite should from time to time be employed 
and disposed of for repairing the chapel of Welney 
aforesaid, and also the bridge, over the river or stream 
thereof, for the inhabitants of the said hamlet to pass 
over the said bridge to hear divine service and prayefs 
in the chapel aforesaid, and for keeping in repair the 
highways within the metes and bounds of the said 
hamlet: 


WELNEY. 


557 


ihat out of the residue of such rents and profits, 
after the payments aforesaid, a free school should be es¬ 
tablished, for the use and benefit of the children of the 
poor inhabitants of the said hamlet for ever, to be called 
“ The charity school of William Marshall, founded at 
u Welney, in the county of Norfolk that the vestry 
room erected by the trustees of the said charity in the 
said hamlet, adjoining the said chapel, should be used 
for the purpose of the said free school: that the trustees 
for the time being should provide a master for the said 
school, and might, if necessary, and the finances of the 
charity should be adequate thereto, erect a proper 
dwelling house for the residence of the master, and 
purchase a piece of ground for the site thereof, out of the 
funds and revenues of the said charity, after making the 
several payments and provisions before mentioned. 

“ The court, having by an order confirmed the master’s, a.d. 
report, and having approved of new trustees for the future 1819. 
management and government of the charity, a new 
feoffment deed (settled and approved by the master, and 
dated 7th August 1819) was executed. By that deed 
the right reverend Bowyer Edward, lord bishop of Ely, 
and the bishop of Ely for the time being; Richard 
Greaves Townley, esq. lord of the manor of Upwell and 
Welney, in the county of Norfolk, and the lord of the 
said manor for the time being ; the reverend William 
Gale Townley, rector of Upwell and Welney, and the 
rector of Upwell and Welney for the time being ; William 
Lee, esq., Joseph Climenson, farmer, William Climenson, 

(son of the said Joseph Climenson) Robert Smart, farmer, 

James Lee, gentleman, John Palmer, gentleman, Hanslip 
Palmer, (son of the said John Palmer) William Rogers, 


558 


HISTORY OF 


Edward Beeton, Thomas Baker, George Cole, Robert 
Beart, the elder, Robert Beart, (son of the said Robert 
Beart, the elder) William Cox, the younger, William 
Beart, (son of the late William Beart) Joseph Little, and 
John Little, farmers, were constituted trustees, with a 
provision for the appointment of new trustees, (except 
in the instances of the bishop, the lord of the manor, 
and rector) from time to time, when necessary.” 

Under the vigilant superintendance and direction of 
the present feoffees, the affairs of the charity are 
judiciously and correctly conducted. The estates are 
annually let by auction, in lots, to the best bidders ; 
the rents are required to be paid in advance immediately 
after the letting, by which means losses to the charity 
are avoided, and a due appropriation of the funds and 
revenues for the year readily adjusted; a treasurer is 
appointed, who gives security for the due execution of 
his office, and whose accounts are made up and regularly 
audited at a yearly meeting, held in the month of June, 
and at which meeting such rules, orders, and directions 
for the good order and government of the charity, as the 
trustees or a major part of them present think expedient, 
are from time to time made. 

The inhabitants of the low country are chiefly depen¬ 
dant for water on such as is obtained by the con¬ 
venience of cisterns, and what is afforded from the 
soakage of the earth, which is by no means of a bad 
quality. 

The reverend Gale Townley, amongst other public 
and useful designs, is at this time engaged in boring for 


THORNEY. 


559 


S 


water at Welney, at his private expense, in hopes of 
procuring a good supply at all times of that necessary 
article of life, for the benefit of the surrounding 
neighbourhood. 

By the population returns in 1821, there were one 
hundred and sixty-one males, and one hundred and 
fifty-one females, making together three hundred and 
twelve in the hamlet of Welney. 

THORNEY, 

Anciently denominated Ankar-ig, or Ankeridge, the 
former from the Saxon words meaning “Thorney 
“ Island,” the latter from the Anchorites or hermits who 
dwelt in the cells of an abbey founded there by Saxulph, 
first abbot of Peterborough, in the time of St. Etheldreda, 
a.d. 662. 

✓ 

This monastery was destroyed by the Danes in 870, 
and rebuilt in the reign of king Edgar in 972, for Bene¬ 
dictine monks. In 1085, the church was rebuilt by 
abbot Gunter, temp. William I.; and in 1178, was 
dedicated to the Virgin and St. Botolph,* by Hervey, first 
bishop of Ely. The structure possessed considerable 
magnificence, and was at least five times as large as at 
present.f When the abbey was dissolved by king 
Henry VIII., great part of the building was destroyed. 
It consisted of two tiers of semicircular arches, resting 


* Who, with many other Saxon saints, lies buried in this church. Coles 
MSS. 

t A draught of Thorney abbey is in the library of the reverend doctor 
Johnson, of Spalding. It had a tower in the middle, with a cross embattled 
at top. Coles’ MSS. 


560 


HISTORY OF 


on massy pillars. The remainder escaped destruction by 
being made parochial. The side aisles were removed in 
1636, the nave (which is all that is left of the old church, 
and constitutes the whole of the present one, being sixty- 
six feet in length, and twenty-eight in breadth) has 
been repaired and fitted up for the performance of divine 
service. It is a neat pile of building, with two small 
turrets at the west end, elegantly adorned with a row 
of nine statues of saints. On each side of the arches 
of the west door is written “ 1636,” and within the church 
are several mural monuments. A small building, once 
part of the cloisters, is now converted into a school house, 
the master of which is allowed a salary of £20. by 
his grace the duke of Bedford. At the time of the 
dissolution, the revenues of the abbey were estimated 
at the annual value of £411. 12s. 11c?. A great part of 
its possessions, together with its site, were given, in the 
year 1549, to John lord Russel, ancestor of the duke of 
Bedford, who is lord of the manor, patron of the church, 
and sole proprietor of the parish. Not far from the 
church have been dug up many urns and coins, among 
which were divers of Trajan, very fair and well preserved. 
The last abbot obtained a pension of £200. per annum, 
on surrendering his abbey into the king’s hands. The 
abbot was a mitred one, and was summoned as a 
baron to parliament 49th Henry III.* The religious 
societies founded in the isle of Ely may be accounted 
for from the retired and solitary situation. Thorney 
has a respectable inn, built in a quadrangular form, 
with a paved yard in the centre. At the west end of 
the church, on the other side of the street, stands a 
very fine pile of buildings built out of the ruins of the 


* Selden. 


THORNEY. 


561 


abbey, occupied by Tycho Wing, esq. The inhabitants 
of Thorney are many of them descended from the refugee 
French or Walloons, a colony of whom settled here about 
the middle of the 17th century, having been employed by 
the earl of Bedford in draining the low grounds ; and in 
Thorney, as well as the neighbouring parishes, many 
French names are still extant. In the church yard is a 
vast number of tombstones and head stones bearing 
French names, the following is here noticed for its 
singularity : 

“ In memory of 
William Livard, alias Count, 
who departed this life 
July 29th 1733, aged 37. 

Here lies the unaccountable Count, 

Who died in his prime, 

Lived most of his time. 

Rest the unaccountable Count. ” 

Bishop Wren granted a licence to Stephen de Cursal, a 
Frenchman, to preach at Thorney in French or Latin, in 
the year 1640 ; but the epitaph of the reverend Ezekiel 
Danois, who died in 1674, speaks of the latter as the 
first minister of the French colony. 

The living is a donative, exempt from the bishop’s and 
archdeacon’s visitation, nor are confirmations held there. 
Divine service used to be performed in the church of 
Thorney in the English language on one part of the Lord’s 
day, and on the other in the French, to the protestant 
refugees; but now, the inhabitants being in a manner 
naturalized, have forgotten their original tongue, and speak 
English. A French register of baptisms from the year 
1653 to 1727 is still preserved. The marriage ceremony 


562 


HISTORY OF 


was performed by the English clergymen. The parish 
is exempt from tithe, and the minister is allowed £200. 
per annum. The office of steward to the noble duke’s 
property has been filled for nearly seventy years past 
by the very respectable family of Wing.* Thorney has 
a market on Thursdays, granted to the earl of Bedford 
by charter of the Bedford Level in 1638, with a large 
fair for horses on the 1st July. The parish contains 
about 17,560 acres. The farms are from 200 to 500, acres, 
and the rental about £20,000. per annum. The noble 
duke pays Is. 6d. per acre drainage tax for external 
works, and the tenants Is. 6d. per acre for internal. 
The last breach of the bank of Morton’s Learn, which was 
in the month of November 1770,£ did much injury in 
this parish. About 25,000 sheep are sent from this 
place to Smithfield annually. The late incumbent was 
the Rev. John Girdlestone : the name of this family is 
met with in old records, and in the History of Norfolk, 
variously spelt, as Kerdeston, Kirdistone, Kerdlestone, 
Cardestone, Cardleston, and Girdlestone. The name of 
Kerdeston may be met with in Norfolk from the time of 
the conquest, and probably originated from a village of 
that name, where they possessed some property, as we 
find in 15th Edward I. (1286) the name of Kerdleston 
cum Reepham. Sir William de Calthorpe, and Eliza, 
his wife, had land conveyed to them by William de 
Kerdeston at that time. This family, for a long period, 
lived in high respectability in Norfolk ; and in the chancel 
of Reepham church is to be seen a marble monument 
of Sir William de Kerdeston. After several generations, 
the Rev. Zurishaddai Girdlestone succeeded by will to 
divers estates, manors, and advowsons in Norfolk. John 


* See page 60. 


t Sec page 64. 


THORNEY* 


Girdlestone, the father of Zurishaddai, married in 
1707 Sarah Ford, from whom descended the late 
Rev. John Girdlestone, who married Rebecca, youngest 
daughter of Mr. Thomas Steed, and was curate and in¬ 
cumbent of Thorney for upwards of fifty years, and died 
2d March 1821, aged 76. The family of Girdlestone 
has a claim to be admitted to Winchester college, as 
founder’s kin to William of Wyckham, from whom they 
are lineally descended. The situation of Thorney is 
pleasant, the church and town standing on a rising 
ground, well wooded to the south west, having a mile of 
road towards Whittlesea overshaded by branches of 
trees, which, by forming an arch of boughs, give a 
pleasing appearance to a stranger, on the approach to 
Whittlesea.* William of Malmesbury, who lived in the 
time of Henry II., speaks with great enthusiasm of the 
beautiful situation of Thorney, and the extreme fertility 
of the soil, as abounding with orchards and vineyards,f 
from which testimony it must be inferred that this skirt 
of the level was not then drowned, and therefore, that 
the outfalls to the sea were at this time clear and open. 


* John Girdlestone, esq. together with Steed Girdlestone, whose name 
has been frequently before mentioned, (see page 106) are the sons of the 
late reverend John Girdlestone ; to the former of these gentlemen the 
compiler of this work is indebted for much information relative to the town 
of Thorney. 

t Dugdale having referred to the monasteries of Ely, Ramsey, and 
Crowland, quotes the words of William of Malmesbury, relative to Thorney, 
as follows: ‘ ‘Thorneia, ulterior scripto, et contractior spacio, sed prior laudum 
“ titulo, paradisi simulactrum, quod amoenitate jam ccelosipsosimaginetur; in 
“ ipsis paludibus, arborum ferax, quae enodi proceritate luctantur ad sydera, 
“ aequorea planities herbarum viridantibus comis oculos advocat, ” &c. 
Thorney, though last mentioned, and less in circuit, hath the priority in fame; 
represented a very paradise ; for that in pleasure and delight it resembleth 
Heaven itself; the very marshes abounding with trees, whose length, 
without knots, do emulate the stars. The plain there is as level as the sea, 
which, with the flourishing of the grass, allures the eye, &c. Dugdale, p. 360. 


564 


HISTORY OF 


Great devastation must, in an after period, have taken 
place, though the time when the obstructions happened 
to the outfall cannot now be ascertained ; but what 
these fens were for depth and breadth during the space 
of many ages before the general drainage, it is no hard 
matter to guess, for the moor, # totally contracted by a 
long stagnation of the fresh waters, was found for the 
most part ten feet deep throughout all this side of the 
country.f Now, however, the eye of the beholder is again 
allured by the pleasing appearance of rich and verdant 
meads—An alteration effected by the improved drainage, 
at the expense of the family of the noble duke who 
now possesses this property, so that we may say with the 
poet 


Much has been performed to check the force 
“ Of nature’s rigour. This wide expanse was erst 
“ A dreary, pathless waste— 

“ ’Till one of that high honoured patriot name, 

“ Russel ! arose, who drained the rushy fen, 

“ Confin’d the waters, bade groves and gardens bloom, 
“ And through his new creation led the streams. 

“ Godlike beneficence! From chaos drear 
To raise the garden and the shady grove. 

“ What changes cannot toil 
“ With patient art effect V* 


Dyer’s Fleece , book 2. 


A crossj formerly stood in the parish of Thorney, near 
to Farcet King’s Delph. Thorney grounds contain 
15,850 acres,§ 400 acres whereof are in hard land, 
and in fen 15,450 acres; there are 4000 acres of adven¬ 
turers’ lands. 


The population, by the last returns in 1821, was 999 
males, and 971 females, making together 1970. 

* Moor is matted vegetables. f Dugdale, page 360. \ See page 139. 

$ Dugdale, page 382. 


WHITTLESEA. 


565 


WHITTLESEA, 

Called in doomsday book Witesie, is in the hundred of 
Witchford and deanery of Ely, lying on the borders of 
Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire, about six miles 
east of Peterborough. It contains two parishes, Saint 
Mary’s and Saint Andrew’s, but their respective bounda¬ 
ries cannot be wholly ascertained. They are in distinct 
patronage. There are two churches, that of St. Mary’s 
is a very handsome structure, with a beautiful spire 
placed on a noble square tower, adorned with fine 
curious work, after the cathedral fashion. The tower is 
lofty, and has five bells and chimes in it, and the spire of 
stone is exceedingly taper and elevated. The interior 
of the church by no means answers to the magnificence 
of its tower and spire, which is by far the most elegant 
of the kind in this part of the country. It has a nave, 
chancel, two side aisles, two chapels in them, and a south 
porch, with a chamber over it, all leaded and in good 
repair. About the middle aisle of the church is a marble, 
with an inscription to the memory of Elizabeth Whetstone, 
who died in 1707. This stone the people have a notion 
covered the bodies of two maiden sisters, who built this 

church. Mr. Whetstone, it seems, had this stone turned, 

• 

and the present inscription put on it. It is said to 
have had two figures on the other side, but probably 
this is an idle conceit.* Only one register of baptisms 
&c. was kept for both parishes previous to the year 1813, 
if the period from 1652 to 1696 be excepted. The 
church is a vicarage, but anciently belonged to the abbey 
of Thorney, valued in the king’s books at £ 19. 13s. 9 d, 

* Coles’ MSS. 

2 n 2 


666 


HISTORY OF 


Robert Bligh, last abbot of Thorney, and bishop of Down 
and Connor, in Ireland, by his will dated 19th October 
1547, appointed his body to be buried in this church, 
before the sacred sacrament of the altar, and gives a 
legacy to the parsonage of Whittlesea, formerly belonging 
to the dissolved monastery of Thorney. It is presumed 
he lies buried in the church. The altar is on three 
large steps, railed round; several stones lie under the 
altar, but most of them defaced. There are memorials 
of the families of Hake, Underwood, and Moore. The 
church is crowded by galleries around it, which spoil the 
appearance. The old church yard is full of gravestones, 
but an additional piece of ground was purchased and 
consecrated in the year 1813. 

The church of St. Andrew is a very handsome, neat 
building, adorned by a small square tower. It was 
given to the monks of Ely by Nigellus, bishop of that 
see, in 1133. In it are memorials of the families of 
Stona, Moore, Ground, Read, (who was high sheriff of 
the county in 1672) and Underwood. The latter family 
had lived at Whittlesea many years before the civil war, 
at which time Hugh Underwood, esq. was deputy lieu¬ 
tenant of the isle of Ely, and was then called governor 
of Whittlesea. His residence is supposed to have been 
on the spot where there is at present a pleasant and 
commodious plantation called the mount, and here it is 
said, that in cutting certain moats, swathes of mown 
grass were found lying perfect, and not decomposed.* 
The manor of Whittlesea St. Andrew, which had belonged 
to the prior and convent of Ely, and the impropriation 
of the parish of St. Mary, together with the patronage 


* Coles’ MSS. (See also page 19.) 


WHITTLESEA. 


567 


of that benefice, have long been held with the manor 
of Whittlesea St. Mary. The living is rated in the 
king’s books at £4. 135. 4 d. The manor of Whittlesea 
St. Mary belonged to the abbot and convent of Thorney, 
as well as the advowson of the church. This estate 
has been for a considerable time in the Waldegrave 
family, and is now vested in the earl of Waldegrave, 
and the families of the duke of Grafton, and the late 
lord Hugh Seymour, both of whom married sisters of 
the late countess Waldegrave. Mr. Secretary Thurloe* 
was heretofore possessed of the manors of Whittlesea St. 
Mary, and Whittlesea St. Andrew, and that of the rectory 
of Whittlesea St. Mary. Whittlesea had formerly a 
market, which had not been wholly disused until within 
about the last fifty years. There is a market cross 
remaining; the market day was Friday. A small fair 
is held therefor horses on the 13th June. The king pre¬ 
sents to the vicarage of St. Andrew ; the owners of the 
impropriate rectory of Whittlesea St. Mary present to 
the vicarage of St. Mary. By pope Nicholas’ taxation f 
they are charged as follows : 



£. 

s. 

d. 

Ecclia de Wytles Bte Marie. 

. 16 

0 

0 

Vicar ejusdem .. 

. 6 

13 

4 

Ecclia sci Andree de Wytles 

.... 10 

0 

0 

Vicar sci Andree de Witlese . 

. 3 

6 

8 


The town stands on rising ground at the extremity of 
the isle of Ely and county of Cambridge. It is populous, 
and reckons about one hundred and sixty votes for 
members of parliament. 


* Thurloe’s State Papers, Bodleian Library, Oxford, 
t See page 246. 





HISTORY OF 


There is a charity school for instructing fifteen poor 
boys or girls ; the master’s salary is £ 15. per annum, 
which sum was bequeathed by Mr. Kelfull, about the 
year 1735. 

Whittlesea, exclusive of the town, contains two 
hamlets, called Coats and Eastrea; at the latter place, 
a licence, dated 1403, was granted for founding a 
chapel of the holy trinity. At a place called Eldernell, 
a chapel was consecrated in 1525,* which has been 
long since dilapidated. In 1509, a lease was granted 
to Anthony Cave, of various things, and amongst them 
a tenement called Eldernayla, with a croft and pool 
yard, at the rent of forty shillings per annum.f There 
was another chapel called St. Peter’s, to the west of the 
town, in a place still called Church Field. In 34th 
Edward I. a presentment was made of the tenants 
wasting the fen, and destroying the harbour for the king’s 
deer ; and that John le Wode, with the men of Whittle¬ 
sea, came into the said fen, and set fire therein, which burnt 
in length and breadth four miles, causing thereby great 
loss to the king in his harts, hinds, and goats. J At a 
session of sewers at Huntingdon in 1617, it was decreed 
that certain drains should be cleansed by the lord of the 
cokenary of Whittlesea, or the farmer thereof..§ In 
1728, a bill was brought into parliament, on petition of 
the land owners and proprietors of the low grounds and 
fen grounds in Whittlesea, consisting of 7000 acres 
of land, which the proprietors complained had been so 
drowned with water, that they yielded little or no profit, 
and could not be drained for want of convenient outfalls 

* Coles’ MSS. f Ibid. ^ See page 15. 

§ Dugdale, page 397. 


WH1TTLESEA. 


\ 


569 


to discharge the waters into the common river, and 
from thence to sea. # About 1742, several Roman lamps 
were found by a man as he was ploughing at Glassmore, 
(a district belonging to Whittlesea); they were made of 
of red ware, all lying very regularly in a row. Also a 
human scull was dug up in the town about the same 
period, the whole brain whereof was ossified and concreted 
into as hard and solid substance as the bone, retaining 
still its natural curdled form, the sutures, &c. remaining 
entire.f There are some small charities founded by 
persons of the names of Dow, Randall, Kelfull, and 
Noble. Also some lands and houses, given at various 
times by different benefactors in the reign of queen 
Elizabeth, to trustees, the rents of which are applied 
to charitable or any other uses, for the general good of 
the town. The two parishes contain about 23,500 acres, 
of which about two thirds are reputed to be in the parish 
of St. Mary, and about one third in that of St. Andrew. 
Both vicarages have been held by the same person as 
far back as any records shew, to the year 1815. In 
this township are 5716 acres of adventurers' lands. 

The following is a list of the several vicars since the 
year 1600. 

A.D. 

1615 Francis Gates occurs, 

1639 William Mason, 

1653 Richard Mason, (son of the former vicar) 

1683 Richard Mason, (son of the last vicar) 

1703 Thomas Topping, 

1742 William Beale, 


* Coles’ MSS. 


f Nicholls’ Anecdotes, vol. vi. page 139. 


570 


HISTORY OF 


A.D. 

1772 Thomas Charles Cadwallader Moore, 

1815 James Tobias Cook, A.M. (of St. Andrew’s) 

1816 John Pratt, (of St, Mary’s) 

William of Whittlesea, archbishop of Canterbury 
in 1368, was born at this place. 

According to the last returns of population in 1821, 
it appears there were 2613 males and 2643 females, 
making together 5276. 

Whittlesea Mere, 

% 

The most spacious fresh water lake in the southern part 
of Great Britain, on which have been exhibited several 
regattas and ice-boat sailings, is about six miles from the 
town of Whittlesea, situated at the extremity of the 
county of Cambridge, and on the north side of the 
county of Huntingdon, and about thirty-eight miles 
west of the German ocean, six miles down the Nene 
from the city of Peterborough, and two miles and three 
quarters east from Stilton. The surface is 1570 square 
acres. Its circumference is eight miles and three quarters, 
abounding with a great variety of water fowl, and the 
following species of fish, viz. pike, perch, carp, tench, 
eels, bream, chub, roach, dace, gudgeons, shallows, &c. 
In the summer months this lake is visited by many of the 
nobility and gentry from various parts. At times it is 
violently agitated, without any visible cause, and is fed 
by the waters of a vast tract of country, whose overplus 
makes its way down to the sea. The difficulties are too 
great to deduce the origin of this beautiful and extensive 
piece of water, and at best it would be enveloped in 


WHITTLESEA. 


571 


conjecture and obscurity, so as not to give satisfaction to 
the generality of readers; but its antiquity and import¬ 
ance are visible by the authorities of domesday book, and 
by its having, so early as a.d. 664, been granted by 
Wolphere, king of Mercia,* to his new founded 
monastery of Medehamstead, (now Peterborough) which 
was destroyed by the Danes in 870, when it reverted to 
the crown. 

Domesday book mentions that the abbot of Ramsey 
had one boatsgate in his own right, and a second boats- 
gate which he held of the abbot of Thorney, with two 
fisheries, and one virgate of land. The abbot of Thorney 
had two boatsgates. 

In 1507, Henry VII. granted the office of keeper of 
the swanery on the mere to David Cecil, for the term of 
seven years. 

In 1662, Charles II. granted to Edward, earl of Sand¬ 
wich, the office of master of the swans within the whole 
kingdom, and also the office of bailiff or keeper of 
Whittlesea Mere. The lord of the manor has a right to 
summon the fishermen, (or fenny ferries) to his two 
courts, holden at Holme, when presentments are made, 
and his bailiff proves the nets with a brazen mash pin, 
and on being found undersized, he is at liberty to take 
a fine, or destroy them, and is entitled to fines and 
forfeitures, with other manorial rights, &c. 

The present rights of fishing are as follows: 


* See page 113. 


572 


HISTORY OF 


William Wells, esq. lord of Glatton, with Holme, eleven 
boatsgates, 

Lord Brownlow, lord of Farcett, one, and a private 
fishery, 

The church of Peterborough, two. 

Lord Carysfort, one. 

There are other small meres in the neighbourhood, as 
Ugg Mere, Ramsey Mere, &c. 

Mr. Golborn, in the year 1777, went through Whittle- 
sea Mere, sounded it, and found the bottom in general 
very even, with four feet and an half of water, and two 
feet of mud under it. 

About two miles distant from the north east side of 
the mere, there is a memorable channel cut through the 
body of the fen, extending itself from near Ramsey to 
Peterborough, and is called King's Delph. The 
common tradition is, that king Canute or his queen, 
being in some peril in their passage from Ramsey to 
Peterborough, by reason of the boisterousness of the 
waves upon Whittlesea Mere, caused this ditch to be 
first made, but this testimony does not reconcile itself 
with an occurrence mentioned three score years before, 
which is that of king Edgar confirming to the monks of 
Peterborough the fourth part of Whittlesea Mere,, with 
all the waters, fishings, &c. thereto belonging, bounding 
it to the north side, where the Mere Lode enters from 
the river Nene, eastward to King’s Delph. # 


* Dugdale, page 363. 


CHATTERIS. 


573 


Bevill’s Leam from Whittlesea Mere to Guyhirn, 
about sixteen miles in length, was made by Francis, 
earl of Bedford, in or about 1634. This river was forty 
feet wide, Vermuyden’s Drain leads from Whittlesea to 
Ramsey, and is sixteen feet wide. Whittlesea Dyke be¬ 
gins a little above Horsey bridge, and runs through the 
town of Whittlesea into the Nene below Benwick. 

CHATTERIS, 

Called in domesday book Cetriz and Cateriz, is a 
populous town, twelve miles from Ely. Alwena, # sister 
of Ednothus, first abbot of Ramsey, niece to king Edgar, 
established at this place a convent of Benedictine monks, 
under the government of an abbess. In the reign of 
Henry I., the nunnery was annexed, at the instance of 
Harvey, first bishop of Ely, to the church of Ely, which 
being suppressed in 1551, the abbey estate, with the 
rectory and advowson of the vicarage, was granted to 
Edward, lord Clinton: through him it passed into many 
hands, until what remained of the original grant was 
purchased by Robert Fawcet, esq. a solicitor of London, 
who occasionally resided in the abbey house, and in 1772, 
gave the presentation of the vicarage to the Rev. W. 
Holden, A.M. of Cambridge, and at his death bequeathed 
his right in the estate to Mr. John Seymour, who sold 
the advowson, and left the remaining property, consisting 
of the manor of Chatteris Nuns, to his son, and through 
him, to his grandson, the Rev. T. C. W. Seymour. The 
advowson of the vicarage was afterwards purchased by 


* Cliateries, or Chcaterizh, is not far from Ely westward, where 
Alwena, a woman, founded a nunnery upon a copped ground, encompassed 
with fens, while her husband founded Ramsey. Camden, page 111. 


574 


HISTORY OF 


Robert Chatfield, esq. of Croydon, Surrey, whose son, 
the Rev. Robert Chatfield, LL.D. is the present patron 

i 

and incumbent. The rectory was sold to Charles Choi* 
mondeley, esq. of Knutsford, in Cheshire. 

The nunnery escaped ruin in the general devastation 
of religious houses in 1536, and was, with thirty others, 
reprieved for two years only, when, in 1538, it was 
totally suppressed. The reason probably of these few 
being exempted from the general fate for this term might 
be the regularity of their behaviour.* Chatteris has no 
ancient remains, except the site of the old nunnery, 
where a few old arches and buttresses shew, amidst 
the patched and modern workmanship, the labour of 
remote antiquity. There are also, about a mile from 
the town, the vestiges of a moat and walls, which for¬ 
merly belonged to one of the manor houses. The parish 
was formerly divided by a river called the Old West 
Water, which ran in the direction from Earith,f through 
a part of Somersham parish, to the present turnpike called 
the Ferry, and then on the west side of Chatteris 
parish, to Benwick, where it joined a part of the Nene; 
a branch from it, anciently called Wimblington Learn, 
(now the Twenty-feet) divided the parish into two 
unequal parts, running through a part of the town, and 
after proceeding by the hard lands of Doddington and 
Wimblington, fell into the Nene at March. What re¬ 
mains of the Tw r enty-feet is now carried by the mills 
into Vermuyden’s Drain. This river, formerly called the 
West Water, has, since drains have been made in other 
directions, now become dry land. At a place called 


* Barnett’s History of tlie Reformation. Coles' MSS. 
t See page 21. 


CHATTERIS. 


575 


Uuny or Honey Hill, in Chatteris, were some subter¬ 
raneous remains of ancient buildings, supposed to be 
those of a chapel, which had contained the bones of 
Huna, # chaplain of Etheldreda, the foundress of the 
monastery at Ely. According to tradition, Huna retired 
to a cell or hermitage, which was afterwards called by 
his name, where he died and was buried.f The body of 
Huna was afterwards translated to the church of 
Thorney. The church of Chatteris is dedicated to St. 
Peter, and the town continues to this day to commemorate 
their favourite saint by an annual feast, on the anniver¬ 
sary of the 20th of June. Nigellus, bishop of Ely, from 
1132 to 1174, first appropriated the church of Chatteris 
to the nuns of Chatteris, which was confirmed by the prior 
and convent of Ely, and in pope Nicholas’ taxation 
it appears the nunnery had considerable property in the 
parish. The church was endowed and built by the 
nuns. It is handsome, and consists of a square tower at 
the west end, in which hang five bells, on it a small spire 
of lead, a nave, two side aisles, and south porch leaded, 
and a chancel tiled : it was valued in the king’s books 
at £ 10. In the church are several marbles to the memory 
of the family of Holman, and as you enter the chancel, 
lies a black marble, with this inscription: “ Johannis 
“ Caryll, armiger, obiit 2d die Feb. a.d. 1669, set. 45.” 
at the east end of the north aisle is another monument to 
Richard Parlett Reade, esq. high sheriff of Cambridge 


* See page 90. 

t Honey farm contains about 350 acres, and formerly belonged to the 
abbey of Ramsey, and after its dissolution, remained in the hands of the 
crown until 36th Henry VIII., when he granted it to William and John 
Sewster, esqrs. in fee, which, by divers mesne conveyances, is now be¬ 
come the property of William Dunn Gardiner, esq. 


576 


HISTORY OF 


and Huntingdon in 1699, and who died in 1704. The 
altar is on one step. There are two places,, formerly 
used for holy water, in the south wall. 

The manor house, an ancient mansion built on the 
site of the abbey, stands in the centre of the town, 
within the walls of the nunnery, which was for some 
time occupied by a respectable family of the name of 
Hake. Another manor, # being the largest as to its 
extent of jurisdiction, was, after the dissolution of mo¬ 
nasteries, for many years in the family of Caryl, from 
whence it descended by female heirs to the Worsleys and 
Terrys. It is now the property of William Dunn 
Gardiner, esq. who purchased the moiety of J. C. 
Worsley, esq. The manor house, which stood within a 
moated eminence at a place called Caryl’s Grove, lias 
been pulled down, and the offices converted into a 
farm house. 

Chatteris may vie with many places of greater celebrity 
in the number of valuable coins and other remains of 
antiquity, which have been dug up in the precincts of 
the town. 

In 1757, several human skeletons, and the curious 
arms of a British warrior, an iron sword, spear and umbo 
of a shield, with an earthen urn and glass vase, were found 


* Those only are said to be legally considered manors, which can be 
proved to have existed before the passing of the statute ‘ Quia Emptores/ 
18th Edward I. a.d. 1290. This act was occasioned by the great subdivi¬ 
sion of property about that time, and by which the number of inferior 
manors was so increased, that almost every little farm of ninety or one 
hundred acres became a manor, and held its court. 


CHATTERIS. 


577 


here, in a kind of tumulus, between the ferry and 
Somersham, in forming the present road to the ferry, 
and given to Mr. Fawcet, the lord of the manor.* 

Some labourers a few years ago 'f digging for gravel 
in Chatteris, at a place called Campole, about half a 
mile from the church, found at the depth of full ten feet 
from the surface, part of the skeleton of an elephant, in 
a fossil state, the most perfect part was the two upper 
grinders, these, when found, were fixed in the jaw 
bones, which the men broke to come at the teeth ; a short 
piece of tusk, about three inches long, part of the scull, 
part of a leg bone, about fourteen inches long, with some 
fragments of the jaw bone, were all that were discovered ; 
one of the grinders weighed five pounds fourteen ounces. 
There were found in the same place some pieces of 
w^ood quite black and spongy; various have been the 
conjectures as to what length of time these bones have 
lain here, and how they could have been buried under 
so great a depth of gravel. 

The Romans brought elephants with their arms into 
England, and it is ascertained that the Roman armies 
overran the fenny countries long before the third century. 
The bed of gravel under which these bones were found 
must have grown or accumulated to that thickness in 
the sixteen centuries, which have since elapsed, so 


* The site of Chatteris monastery was probably the palace of a chief 
among the old Britons, contiguous to which was his tomb. It was a piece 
of gravelly ground, pretty much elevated towards the ferry, and was pro¬ 
bably a family burying place, for there were more bodies interred in the 
same spot. Gentleman's Magazine for 1766, page 119. 
t December 1st 1819. 


578 


HISTORY OF 


that the Romans may have left this dead carcass where 
its remains are now found.* 

In 1824, an earthen vessel, which contained about 
one thousand small copper coins, chiefly of Constantius, 
many of Constans and Constantine, and a few with the 
older Roman emblem of Romulus and Remus suckled 
by the wolf, was ploughed up near the ferry, two miles 
from the town, on the site of the ancient river or West 
Water. A very fine specimen of an elk’s horn was also 
lately dug up in the vicinity. Between Chatteris and 
Ely, certain tumuli are to be seen, it has been much 
disputed for what these barrows were constructed, and 
who were the makers of them. The nations to whom 
they are generally attributed are the British, and with as 
much probability we might add the Danish, but history 
is silent as to the particular time of their formation. On 
digging through them, bones and wood both burnt to 
charcoal have been found. 1 1 There are three remaining 


* Mr. John Girdlestone lias these remains of antiquity in his possession, 
t The Danish and Saxon nations did not burn their dead, the Romans 
certainly did, and the Britons might have borrowed the custom from them, 
and the Roman-British might also. Improvements having been recently 
made in the exercise ground at Newmarket, near the entrenchment called 
the “ Devil’s Ditch,” one of those monumental remains, denominated 
barrows or tumuli, which are numerous in that neighbourhood, was re¬ 
moved, and upon clearing the earth to the centre of the mould, a discovery 
was made of an urn of rude construction and materials, containing ashes, 
together with some beads, which it is presumed formed the ornaments of 
the person to whose honour the barrow was dedicated. There were also 
found two coins, supposed to be Roman, and a fragment of a cup of far 
superior manufacture to the urn, lying promiscuously at the depth of about 
two feet. In another instance, a mound, sixty yards in length and twenty- 
five in breadth, shewed evident traces of its having been a funeral pile : 
the whole of the earth being apparently discoloured with fire, and occa- 
sionally presenting in its removal pieces of dried charcoal. 


CHATTERIS. 


579 


in Chatteris, on the south of the road to Ely, in a 
triangular form, and are probably a memorial of some 
great catastrophe, of which we have no record. That 
many are Danish is highly probable, particularly as 
these barrows are seen in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge¬ 
shire, &c. There are so many purposes for which 
these tumuli might have been raised, and so many uses 
to which they might be applied, that we have no 
reason to ascribe them all to one age or people. Dr. 
Stukeley speaks of having observed several barrows or 
tumuli, which he supposes to have been the work of the 
ancient Britons; they are generally of very considerable 
bulk, much too large for Roman, nor had any thing 
Roman been discovered in opening them. About a cen¬ 
tury ago, two or three were dug quite away near Boston, 
and another at Frampton, in Lincolnshire, to make bricks 
of, or to mend the roads; these he supposes to have been 
the burying places of our Cimbric predecessors, purposely 
thrown up ; the remains of their chiefs were probably 
carried thither, whose habitations were in the marshy 
grounds, and who chose to be buried upon higher ground 
than where they lived.* They may have been the record 
of some battle, or might have served as beacons for fire, as 
signal stations in a flat country, or as positions for troops. 
We may here remark, that both from Roman historians, 
and from what we can glean from the Saxon Chronicles, 
the isle of Ely, of which Chatteris was an entrance from 
the side of Huntingdonshire, at the ferry, where the West 

* Herodotus mentions that these barrows were very frequent in Scythia, 
and gives a curious account of the burial of their ancient kings. These 
mounds are even now frequent in the route between the countries occupied 
by the Don-Cossacs, and the sandy track which stretches between the Don, 
the ancient Tanais, and the Volga. 

2 o 


580 


HISTORY OF 


Water was crossed, long furnished an asylum to the 
routed Britons, the Saxons, and their descendants, from 
the fury of the Roman arms, the depredations of the 
Danes, and the valour of the Normans. 

It appeared by a survey made under the inclosure 
act, which passed in the year 1809, that this parish 
contained 13,454a. 2r. 5p. 

By the population returns of 1821, there were 1604 
males, and 1679 females ; total 3283. 

There is no endowed school, or money left for the 
purpose of education of the poor; but within these eight 
years a national school has been built, principally through 
the beneficence of the esteemed vicar, aided by voluntary 
contributions. It is at present in a very prosperous 
state, affording instruction to three hundred children. 

The only public benefaction consists of certain pieces 
of land, which, since the inclosure act, are let at about 
£70. per annum, which sum is distributed at Easter 
every year amongst the poor of the place. The original 
deed of gift being lost, an application was made to the 
court of Chancery a few years since, when an appro¬ 
priation was decreed, and eleven trustees appointed to 
manage and let the estate. The survivors of this number 
of trustees meet on every Easter Monday, and examine 
the accounts of the receiver or officers, and pay over the 
balance to the overseers of the poor for the purpose above 
named. A court leet under the bishop of Ely is held 
on St. Matthew’s day, when the constables are appointed 
and nuisances presented. Several acres of land are 


DODDINGTOtt. 


appropriated by ancient usage for the purposes of this 
court. The bishop appoints the steward, and is lord of 
the manor here called Ely Barton.* 


The following vicars appear on record : 


A.D. 

1632 George Carter. 
1637 George Otway. 
1663 William Dearsley. 

1665 Francis Gold well. 

1666 William Strong. 
1687 John Salter. 


A.D. 

1691 Thomas Rawling. 

1701 William Torkington. 
1737 John Muriel. 

1749 Andrew Layton. 

1772 William Holden, A.M. 
1803 Robert Chatfield, LL.D. 


DODDINGTON, 

- t f e ^ 

I n the deanery of Ely, and about sixteen miles from thence, 
is a parish of very great extent. This is the mother 
church to March, Benwick, and Wimblington, though 
much inferior to the chapel of March, her daughter, in 
point of building and beauty. The church, dedicated to 
the blessed Virgin Mary, is neat and in good condition, 
with a tower, on which is placed a spire of stone, and in 
the tower five bells. It has a nave, with two side aisles, 

* The compiler is indebted to the Rev. Dr. Chatfield for much valuable 
information respecting this parish. The doctor is well known as the author 
of the Historical View of Hindostan, a work of considerable merit; he is 
also a most zealous advocate in the cause of the Greeks, in their present 
arduous struggle for freedom, and has made several appeals to the public in 
the behalf of the warriors of that deeply injured and classic land, against 
their ruthless enemies : but above all, he is eminent as a parish priest, in 
the faithful discharge of Christian and relative duties, whose character may 
be comprised in a few words, as a man of sound virtue and humility, with an 
union of talents, zeal, and consistency of conduct, at all times to be depended 
on. This is no panegyric, but a tribute of respect, which all who know the 
worthy doctor will freely acknowledge, though the compiler feels sensible, 
whilst he makes this slight remark, he is running the risk of incurring his 
displeasure. 


582 


HISTORY OF 


and a chancel almost as big as the nave, tiled, and 
handsomely roofed with wainscot, and the whole church 
and chancel well and neatly paved with freestone. It is 
a rectory, valued in the king’s books at £ 22. 45. 11 id. 
The altar stands on two steps, and is railed round. On 
a grey marble slab on the north side, within the rails, is 
an inscription to a late rector, the reverend Philip 
Williams, who left a benefaction of £ 50. to buy books 
for the poor of March. Exactly before the door, and on 
the steps in the middle aisle, lies a beautiful white 
marble slab, with this inscription : 

“ En lector! hie ad pedes tuos inter pios majorum 
“ cineres Bni Sewsteri Baronetti.” # 

Over the north door, at the foot of the steps, hangs 
the achievement of Sir Sewster. In the middle chancel 
is a black marble slab, with the following inscription : 

“ Here lies the body of Mr. Thomas Waddington, 
“ who departed this life July 19th 1722, set 62.” 

'» 

Also three plain marble slabs to the memory of three 
of the children of the reverend Algernon Peyton, the 
present rector. 

There are stalls round the chancel, which is separated 
from the nave by a screen, over which are the king s 
arms, the ten commandments, with the Lord’s prayer, 
and creed. In 1595, Dr. Clayton was rated for his 
parsonage at Doddington, to raise one light horse, 
furnished, f 


* See Engraving of Sir Sewster Peyton. 


t Coles’ MSS. 


DODDINGTON. 


583 


♦ 


John Nalson, the historian, who married Alice, the 
daughter of Dr. Algernon Peyton, was rector of this 
parish in 1668. The rectory is remarkable, as being one 
of the richest in England. The parish is the largest in 
the isle and county, as well as one of the most extensive 
in the kingdom, containing 38,000 acres of rich land, 
subject to tithe. 

• 

The presentation of this valuable preferment is in the 
gift of Sir Henry Peyton, being his private property. 
The living was originally vested in the bishoprick of 
Ely, but queen Elizabeth, by the act before mentioned, 
passed in the first year of her reign,* took the same into 
her hands, with the manor of Doddington, upon the 
demise of the then bishop, and by letters patent, in the 
44th year of her reign, (1601) granted the manor, 
with all the rents, 8cc. the little and great park in 
Doddington, all courts leet, franchises, &c. together 
with the advowson to the right and patronage of the 
church of Doddington, to Sir John Peyton, the elder, 
knight, governor of Jersey and Guernsey, and Sir John 
Peyton, the younger, knight, and their heirs and assigns, 
in consideration of £ 3000. paid by them, and of a fee 
farm rent of £74. 65. 8 d. For a century before this 
period, the family of the Peytons appeared to have been 
settled at Doddington as lessees to the bishop of Ely. 
This manor has a court leet and court baron, and in 
1613, the lords of the manor consented to an amicable 
decree, whereupon the fines, which had been before ac¬ 
customed to be arbitrary, were made certain, and have 
so continued ever since. 


* Seepage 114. 


584 


HISTORY OF 


\ 


The reverend doctor Algernon Peyton, the son of Sir 
John Peyton, the younger, was lord of the manor in 1654, 
and also rector of the parish for twenty-six years, since 
which time the living has not been in the possession of 
any of the family of Peyton until it was held in 1805, 
for the present incumbent, by his uncle, who is since 
dead. The present incumbent, the reverend Algernon 
Peyton, has now enjoyed it for sixteen years. 

The presentation to this living was, in the year 1750, 
sold by Sir Thomas Peyton, who had no issue, for £ 1000. 
to the reverend doctor Proby, dean of Litchfield, and 
brother to the right honourable lord Carysfort, who held 
it for fifty-five years. 

Whilst the bishops of Ely held this manor, they had a 
seat or palace at Doddington, and bishop Balsham died 
there in 1286. Bishop Cox and his family also resided 
here in the latter part of his time, about 1580. The last 
account of the manor house was in 1660, in which year it 
appears that colonel John Fisher, of Wisbech, died there ; 
but it has been altogether so long forsaken by the family of 
Peyton as a residence, that it is not now even recollected 
at what period the seat was pulled down. A clump of 
trees, and an old moat of considerable extent, mark the 
site, and what remains of the mansion is now fitted up 
as a farm house. 


The following rectors are on record: 

A.D. 

1600 Samuel Wright. 

1641 Algernon Peyton, D.D. who died in 1667, having added 
much to the convenience of the parsonage-house. 


A.T). 


DODDINGTON. 


585 


1667 John Nalson, LL.D. 

1685 Philip Williams. 

1719 Vyner Snell. 

1750 Baptist Proby, D.D. 

1805 The Rev. James Dashwood. 

1811 The Rev. Algernon Peyton, M.A. 

Benefactions. 

Lionel Walden, esq. in the year 1719, gave £500. in 
money, for the purpose of building a free school at 
Doddington, the place of his nativity, for the education 
of so many poor children as his trustees should think 
fit. The benefaction remained many years unappro¬ 
priated, so that it accumulated to £ 1800. 3 per cents., 
and £500. 4 per cents. A school has been recently 
established, a school-house built, and a master appointed, 
with a salary of £40. per annum. 

Mr. Thomas Waddington, in 1722, gave a piece of 
land, then valued at £ 2. per annum ; the rent to be 
applied towards the instruction of the poor children of 
Doddington. 

The Rev. Dr. Jobson, of Wisbech, gave £ 100., the a.d. 
interest thereof to be employed in providing religious 1816. 
books for the poor. 

In 1821, some copper coins of the emperors Decentius 
and Constantius were found in this parish. 

The population of Doddington in 1821 was 339 males, 

337 females, total 676; Benwick, 264 males, 250 females, 
total 514; making together 1190. In 1676, the popu¬ 
lation of Doddington-cum-Benwick was 813. 


t 


586 


I 


HISTORY OF 

MARCH 

Isa large hamlet belonging to the parish of Doddington, 
containing a population of nearly 4000 inhabitants, 
situate eleven miles from Wisbech. A considerable 
inland trade is carried on here in coals, timber, and corn, 
by means of the river Nene, which passes through the 
hamlet. In 1671, a grant was made by king Charles II. 
to Sir Algernon Peyton, bart., his heirs and assigns, to 
hold two marts or fairs, the one on Monday before 
Whitsuntide, and the other on the third Tuesday in 
October, with a court of Pie Powder the tolls and 
profits whereof were to be received by Sir Algernon and 
his heirs; and also a market on every Friday.t 

The manor, which now forms part of Sir Hemy Peyton’s 
estate, was given to the monks at Ely by Oswi, and 
Leofiede, daughter of Brithnod. £ 

The church or chapel is a noble and beautiful Gothic 
structure, with a grand tower at the west end, on which 
is a lofty and fine spire of stone, with five bells ; a 
spacious nave and two side aisles, the south, as well as 
north porch, leaded. The chapel is dedicated to St. 
Wendreda, and was built about the year 1343, as is 

* Pie Powder is a court incident to fairs and markets, to be held only 
during the time the fair is kept, to administer justice to buyers and sellers, 
and for redress of disorders committed in them : so called because they are 
most usual in summer, when the suitors to the court have dusty feet, and 
from the expedition in hearing cases proper thereunto, before the dust goes 
off the feet of the plaintiff and defendant. Jacobs' Law Dictionary. 

f The town of Wisbech seems to have entertained some jealousy of this 
grant and privilege, as it appears by the recoids of the corporation, that 
they directed the town-bailiff to take certain proceedings to prevent March 
being made a market town. $ See page 116 . 


MARCH. 


.587 


shewn by a grant of indulgence, still preserved among 
the archives of the parish, to all those who should fre¬ 
quent this chapel, or have any other affairs relating to 
the same; dated at Avignon, August 14th 1343, in 2d 
year of the pontificate of pope Clement VI. during the 
time of Simon Montacute, bishop of Ely. The chancel 
is tiled, and seems to have been more recently added, 
not being of equal grandeur with the rest of the building. 
At the east end of the north aisle is a neat stone turret 
for a bell. Under the battlements on both sides of the 
church, the flint work in the freestone represents 
various grotesque figures. Beneath the belfry is a large 
arch to walk through. Notwithstanding so fine a building, 
it is only a chapel, as before observed, to the rectory of 
Doddington, about four miles distant from it. The altar 
stands on an elevation of three steps, railed round : the 
altar-piece is handsomely painted, gilt, and adorned, 
having festoons of fruit and flowers, with urns at the 
top, and in front the ten commandments, the Lord’s 
prayer, and the creed. In the chancel are several stones 
and marbles: at the foot of the steps is one to Mary 
Marshall, who died in 1683; a handsome slab to Ann, 
daughter of Joseph Herrenden, esq. of Morcot, in the 
county of Rutland, the affectionate wife of Abraham 
Jobson, who died 27th January 1790, aged 52. # Also 
another to W. Walsham, esq. who died in 1732; with 
several others to the same family. Also a mural monu¬ 
ment to Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Shepheard, and 
a recent one to Ann, the wife of Edmund Barley, who 
died in 1825. 

At the west end is a mural monument to Thomas 
Harrison, esq. who died in 1699; and at the east end 

* She was the first wife of the Rev. Dr. Jobson, afterwards and now 
vic$r of Wisbech. 


HISTORY OF 


i 


588 


of the north aisle is an ancient slab, on which is a bras& 

* i 

tablet, with the inscription, “ Pray for the soule of Simon 
“ Payne, who died in the year of our Lord 1501.” Also 
another to Catherine, the wife of Anthony Hansard, esq. 
She was sister to Sir Robert Southwell, counsellor to 
king Henry VIII., and died in 1517. Also, in the nave 
or middle aisle, is an ancient tombstone to William 
Dredeman, who died in 1503; there are effigies of himself 
and wife on brass. The ornamental part of the roof is 
said to have been erected by him. # 

In the south porch is a monument to the memory of 

Thomas Shepheard, esq. 

/ , 

The roof is of wood, with numerous projecting figures 
of angels, and is one of the richest specimens of the 
kind in Cambridgeshire. 

A guild-hall, dedicated to the holy trinity, was for¬ 
merly established in this town, which fell into decay 
at the time of the dissolution of religious houses. A 
building in the High Street, on the south side of the 
road, has from time immemorial borne the name of the 
“ Guild-hall.” 

In 1730, when the road f was making from Wisbech 
to March, two urns were found, in one of which were 


* Lyson’s Cambridgeshire mentions that his name appears found marked 
by flints on the outside of the wall of the nave, which seems to be an error, 
as such letters are intended for “ St. Wendreda,” to whom the church is 
dedicated. 

t 1729-30, January 14th. A petition of the gentlemen, freeholders, 
merchants, tradesmen, and other inhabitants of Wisbech and March, was 
presented to the house of commons, setting forth, that the ancient road 
between the two towns, particularly between March Chain and Guyhirn, 
(which was a way upon sufferance, and for which a toll was taken) was 


MARCH. 


589 


bones and ashes, and in the other, about three hundred 
pieces of silver coin, of all the Roman emperors from 
Vespasian to Constantius, both inclusive, no two pieces 
alike. Also, a few years since, some coins of Adrian 
were found in a field of Mr. Richards’; and more re¬ 
cently, in digging a hole for a gate-post, nearly half a 
peck of base silver, of about the time of Gallienus, was 
found at Stonea, near March. 

In the year 1792, an act of parliament was obtained 
for inclosing the open commons of this hamlet. The 
house of reception for the aged and impotent poor has 
a handsome exterior, and stands in an airy situation on 
the south side of the turnpike road: it was erected 
in the year 1823. 

On the front of that part of the White Hart inn, in 
March, which fronts the river, used formerly to be some 

become dangerous and almost impassable, occasioned by great numbers of 
cattle driven, and large quantities of provision carried that way ; and that 
a nearer and much more commodious road might be made between the 
towns, at a small expense, from March common to Guyliirn ; and that the 
proprietors of lands between those places were consenting to dispose of a 
sufficient part thereof for that purpose, for reasonable considerations, but 
that it could not be done without the aid of parliament, by reason of the 
infancy of Joseph Dixon, one of the proprietors; and therefore they prayed 
for leave to bring in a bill for erecting a turnpike, and appointing a toll for 
making the said road, and keeping it in repair, and also all the ancient road 
through the town of March, and for enabling the said infant to convey his 
part of the said lands for that purpose. Journals of the House of Commons, 
vol. xxi. page 400. Coles’ MSS. vol. iii. page 30. 

1729. A petition was also presented on behalf of Richard Fiennes, an 
infant, by Dame Alice St. Barbe, his guardian, setting forth, that he was 
advised that certain clauses in the intended bill were likely to take away 
his right to an ancient toll paid for a way, by permission, over the manor of 
Waldersea, the petitioner’s estate, and the same was ordered to be heard 
by counsel* Journals of the House of Commons . 


590 


HISTORY OF 


square bricks of great antiquity, on which were imprinted 
the following letters: “ IIE WGARNARM GTGV 
“ GJJ which first make out a person’s name, viz. 
Hew Garnar, and the others were probably initial letters 
of his children’s Christian names. There were also other 
devices, viz. a coronet and a shield. This is reported to 
have been the first house that ever was built in March. 

A handsome avenue, consisting of double rows of elm 
trees, with a beautiful gravelled foot-walk, leads from ' 
the town to the church, which is nearly half a mile 
distant from the bridge and market-place, and in one 
part of this walk stands a stone cross, the time of the 
erection of which is not known, though it is supposed 
to have been built about the period of Henry VI. 

The fairs are held on Monday before Whit-Sunday, 
on Whit-Monday, and 27th October. 

By the population returns in 1821, the number of 
of inhabitants was 1924 males, and 1926 females, 
making together 3850. 

In this town are several valuable charities, four of 
which are very important, and known by the names 
of Neale’s Charity, Wade’s, Guild-hall, and Fringe’s. 
Neale’s charity consists of thirty-three acres and a half 
of adventurers’ land in White Fen, the rents whereof 
were directed to be applied to provide a schoolmaster, 
and were given for such purpose in the year 1696. 
Henry Wade, in the year 1713, gave the residue of his 
estate to the use of the poor, with an annual sum to be 
paid to a schoolmaster, and for putting out children 
apprentices, and buying heifers for poor housekeepers. 


I 


) 


MARCH. 591 


The guild-hall estate consisted of a messuage, with a 
yard, called the Guild-hall; and Fringe’s estate of twelve 
acres of pasture, given in the year 1575, for the benefit 
of the poor ; since which period, several other allotments 
of land have been set out and added to the above gifts, 
by virtue of the act referred to for inclosing the open 
and common lands in March. A few years ago, it was 
thought desirable to apply to the court of Chancery, in 
order that the several charities might be regulated, and 
proper persons appointed to act as trustees for the 
management of the said charities and estates thereto 
belonging; whereupon a bill was filed, and on 4th March 
1826, the master made his report as follows: That he 
found that the rents of the estates, exclusive of the 
messuage called the guild-hall, amounted in the whole to 
£458. 12s. per annum viz. 


f. s* 

Neale’s Charity . 50 0 

Wade’s .301 12 

Guild-hall estate. 87 0 

Fringe’s . 20 0 


£458 12 


And it was accordingly, by such report, directed that 
the above rents should be applied for the purposes of 
the respective charities, according to the several trusts: 
that the four charities should be consolidated, and the 
estates be held on one plan, and vested in fifteen trustees, 
and when reduced by death to seven, eight others to 
be appointed : that the trustees should meet annually 
on the first Monday in January, and that they should 
be authorized to take down that part of the guild-hall 








592 


HISTORY OF 


messuage occupied as a workhouse, and to rebuild on 
the site thereof a suitable building for the education of 
200 boys and 150 girls, on the system of the national 
schools on Dr. Bell’s plan, for the residence of a master 
and a matron, the expense of which w T as estimated at 
£1200.; and that the remaining part of the said mes¬ 
suage should be used as a vestry or public meeting room 
for the parish ; and that the remainder of the estates 
should be let by the year, or on leases for seven years, 
for the most money. 

The trustees of the charities, with the rector and 
churchwardens, are to elect a schoolmaster, to teach the 
Latin and English tongues and arithmetic, and likewise 
the schoolmistress and usher: no curate of Doddington 
to be elected either as schoolmaster or assistant. The 
salaries of the schoolmaster and usher together not to 
exceed £ 140. per annum, viz. £ 100. for the general 
schooling, and £ 40. for the Latin schoolmaster. 

That the trustees should every year bind out two or 
more poor children, bom in March, as apprentices to 
trade, to be selected from the school, and pay such 
premium as the trustees should think proper, not ex¬ 
ceeding £ 60. per annum. 

That they should pay yearly to two poor decayed 
housekeepers, settled inhabitants of March, not receiving- 
parochial relief, £10. a year each during their lives. 

Also, after providing for those objects, and for the 
repairs, expenses, outgoings, and contingencies, they 
should pay the surplus of the said rents and profits 
annually, in buying heifers or young cows, to be dis- 


MARCH. 


593 


tributed on Easter-Monday to and amongst such poor 
housekeepers of March, not receiving or having received 
parochial relief, if any such, who had the means of 
keeping a cow, could be found; but if no such to be 
found, then in buying and distributing in like manner, 
to and amongst such poor housekeepers as aforesaid, 
pigs, or some other useful articles, fit for their situation 
and circumstances, so as to approach as nearly as possible 
to the founder’s intention. The following persons were 
appointed trustees: 

i t 

The Rev. Algernon Peyton, and the rector of Dod- 
dington for the time being. 

Thomas Orton, esq. 

Nathan Gray. 

John Pope, 5 

Charles Culledge. 

Johnson Barley. 

Robert Vawser. 

John Ratcliffe. 

John Gray. 

Robert Hutchinson Lewin, esq. 

George Ball. 

William Pratt. 

Joseph Jackson. 

Thomas Grounds. 

Part of the building called the guild-hall was here¬ 
tofore used by the parish as a house for the poor, until 
it became so dilapidated, as to render it almost un¬ 
wholesome for their reception, which induced the parish¬ 
ioners to consider of erecting a new workhouse in another 
situation. After various discussions, it was at length 


Churchwardens for the time being . 


Hardy Johnson, 


594 


HISTORY OF 


determined to purchase a portion of land, and to erect 
a workhouse thereon, and it was agreed that a sum of 
£3000, should be advanced out of the rates for such 
purpose. Application was made to Sir Henry Peyton, 
who consented to accommodate the parish with seventeen 
acres of land in an airy, dry situation, near to the town, 
upon the centre of which the present handsome 
building was erected in the year 1823. It is replete 
with every convenience for an establishment of this 
nature ; a governor is appointed, who has apartments 
in the house, and the use and occupation of the land. 
That part which immediately adjoins the house is 
converted into garden ground, for supplying the in¬ 
mates with vegetables; the remaining part is pasture 
and arable, being managed according to the judgment 
and discretion of the governor, who sets the poor to 
work in the cultivation of the whole of it, and thus 
keeps them fully employed. The governor receives the 
produce of the land to his own use, and is allowed 
Is. 6d. each per head per week for supplying the inmates 
with food and necessaries ; the present number is thirty- 
five. Much sickness formerly prevailed amongst the poor 
in the old confined house, but now, by the advantage 
of an airy situation, the poor are clean, comfortable, 
and healthy. The effect on the rates in this short period 
is found to have been very beneficial, for, notwithstanding 
the increasing population, the rates are considerably re¬ 
duced already, and a farther reduction is expected. A 
portion of the principal of the £3000. borrowed is annually 
discharged. The building itself is an ornament to the 
town, and the establishment altogether is so well regu¬ 
lated, that the plan may be recommended for adoption 
in other parishes, as calculated to afford great benefit, 
not only in diminishing the number of the poor, but. 


MARCH. 


595 


* 


keeping those healthy who become its inmates, by in¬ 
culcating habits of industry, for it is the governor’s duty 
and policy to keep them fully employed, as a great portion 
of his advantage is derived from the proper cultivation of 
the lands. Mr. John Todd and his wife (who formerly 
kept the Griffin inn) have at this time the management of 
this establishment: they give every satisfaction to the 
parish, by their judicious arrangements; and the neatness 
and cleanliness in which the house is kept reflect upon 
them great credit. 

The building upon the guild-hall estate, for the pur¬ 
pose of a public room for general meetings of the 
inhabitants, and for the schools for boys and girls, (as 
mentioned in the decree of the court of Chancery) has 
been this year erected, which, being situated in the High 
Street, has added further to the ornament of the town. 
A foot pavement of Yorkshire stone, lately laid down in 
the principal street, has afforded an additional conve¬ 
nience to the inhabitants. A general spirit of improve¬ 
ment seems at this time to pervade the whole population, 
which is principally to be attributed to the activity and 
perseverance of Thomas Orton, esq. a resident gentleman 
and magistrate, who, whilst ready himself to promote 
any measure calculated for the benefit of his townsmen, 
at the same time acknowledges and duly appreciates the 
assistance and co-operation he receives from them, in the 
furtherance of those useful public improvements. Many 
who visit March observe with regret a wide sewer called 
the Hythe, on the north side of the High Street, and are 
surprised that it has been allowed to have continued so 
long open and exposed, but at this very period a plan is 
in contemplation to arch the same over with brick; but 

2 p 


596 HISTORY OF 

» 

as the whole line cannot at once be effected, it is intended 
to execute it by degrees, which, when accomplished, 
besides the removal of a dangerous object, will no doubt 
add to the salubrity and health of the inhabitants. 

Besides the noble charities before referred to, there are 
several of a smaller description, as recorded on frames 
against the church pillars. 

a.d. Mr. Leonard Cremer, by will, gave £5. to be paid 

1635. by the churchwardens to the best use of the said poor. 

1674. Mr. Thomas Coward, by will, gave six acres of 
arable land in Oldfield, in Elm, to the churchwardens and 
overseers of March, who are, out of the produce, to buy 
thirty yards of woollen cloth, at 2«. a yard, to make ten 
coats, and three chaldrons of coals, to be by them given 
to the poor every St. Thomas’ day. He gave the like 
gift to the poor of Elm, on condition that if either 
parish officers should fail in the due disposal of his 
charities, the other parish should have both gifts. 

1675. Mr. Beaucham Walsham gave three roods of land 
in Westfield, in March, to trustees, the rents of which 
are to be distributed twice a year amongst their most 
pious and needy poor. 

Mr. Thomas Walsham, by will, gave a rent charge 
of £2. a year, issuing out of thirty acres of land lying in 
Northwood Side Fen, one moiety of which is to be paid 
to the parson or curate of March, to preach a sermon 
yearly on St. Thomas’ day; the other moiety is to be 
given to the poor in bread upon the same day. 

Mr. John Walsham gave a rent charge of £4. IO 5 . 
a year, out of seventeen acres of land called Cow-fen, in 
the parish of March, to the churchwardens, who are 


MARCH. 


597 


ever y year to buy four heifers, and give them to four 
poor men of the said town every Easter-Tuesday; and if 
the said rent charge be not paid, the churchwardens may 
enter upon the said land, and enjoy the same use for ever. 

Mr. Rynold Walsh am, by will, gave <£5., the in¬ 
terest of which is appointed to be distributed amongst 
the poor on every Easter-day. 

Mrs. Sarah Walsh am, by will, gave £10., the in¬ 
terest to be paid to twelve poor w r idows on every St. 

John’s day. 

Mr. James Sheppard gave three acres called Fen- a.d. 
house Close, to the churchwardens, for keeping at school 1684. 
three or more poor children. 

Mr. Stephen Sheppard, by will, gave £10., the 
interest of which is to be given to the poor upon every 
St. Stephen’s day. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Sheppard, by will, gave £5., the 
interest of which is to be distributed to ten poor widows 
upon every new year’s day. 

Mr. Thomas Sheppard, by will, gave £10., the 
interest of which is to be given to the poor upon every 
new year’s day. 

The Rev. Philip Williams, rector of Doddington, 1685. 
gave £50. to buy land; the rent is appointed yearly to 
be laid out in books, and the curate of March and the 
churchwardens are to distribute the same to the poor 
of March within the week of Easter. 

Mr. Michael Wyldbore gave £10. to the church- 1737. 
wardens of March, the interest of which is to be distributed 
to forty poor people of the said town, in bread, upon 
every St. Michael’s day. 

Mr. Martin Pierson, bachelor of music, by will, 
gave £100. for the purchase of lands, the rent of which 

2 p 2 


598 


HISTORY OF 


is to be distributed by the overseers of March, to eight, 
nine, ten, eleven, or twelve poor persons of the same 
parish, in twopenny loaves of good wheaten bread, upon 
every Sunday for ever; which donation purchased a 
parcel of ground called Fenhouse Close, in March. 

Mr. John Neale, by will, gave £5., the interest ol 
which is to be given to the poor upon every new year’s 
day. 

a.d. The Rev. Dr. Jobson, vicar of Wisbech, gave £100., 
1820. the interest to be employed in providing religious books 
for the poor. 

WIMBLINGTON 

Is another considerable hamlet in the parish of Dod- 
dington, and has a chapel depending thereon. A school 
was founded here in the year 1714, by Mr. Thomas 
Eaton, for the education of forty children in reading, 
writing, and arithmetic; it was endowed with lands of 
considerable value. Some litigation took place, which 
caused an application to the court of Chancery, who 
have lately appropriated the rents, and settled a scheme 
for the future regulation of the school. A dwelling- 
house has been built for the master, and an appointment 
has been made by the trustees. The funds are more 
than £ 50. per annum. The Rev. Dr. Jobson also 
lately gave £100. to this hamlet, of which he was for¬ 
merly curate, to provide books, such as testaments, 
8cc., for the use of the poor. The nunnery at Chat¬ 
teris had formerly lands in this hamlet. 

In the return of population made in the year 1821, 
there were 433 males and 426 females, in all 859. 


BENWICK. 


599 


BENWICK 

9 

Has a chapel also depending on Doddington. At this 
place, that branch of the Ouse, formerly called the West 
Water, which ran in a northerly direction from Earith, 
met a part of the Nene, # and descended from hence, 
by Great Cross or Plant Water, to the north seas at 
Wisbech, whilst that outfall was perfect.^ In the civil 
wars in the time of Stephen, the men of Ely called to 
their assistance the earl of Essex, whom the empress 
Maud had won over to her party, who laid waste the 
lands and population of such as were attached to the 
king’s interest, and having spoiled Ramsey abbey, the 
earl placed a garrison at Ben wick, where was a passage 
into the isle of Ely.J 

In 34th Edward I. (1305) it was presented, that the 
men of Benwick had destroyed a certain place in King’s 
Delph, of the alders and rushes called Hertyngges, con¬ 
taining a mile in length and breadth.§ 

The Rev. Dr. Jobson, vicar of Wisbech, gave also 
£100. to this hamlet, the interest to be employed in pro¬ 
viding religious books for the poor. In 1821, there were 
264 males and 250 females, making in all 514, according 
to the then returns of population. 

MANEA 

Is a small hamlet in the middle level, not far distant 
from Doddington, though lying in the hundred of North 
Witchford. A square mound of earth stands in about the 

* See page 21. t Dugdale, p. 394. t Lyson’s Brit. Camb. page 9. 

$ Dugdale, page 366. 

\ ' 


600 


HISTORY OF 


middle of the village, but there is no tradition for what 
purpose it was raised, or any information to be traced 
of its origin. About this spot his majesty king Charles I. 
had some serious intention of building an eminent town, 
and to have called it Charlemont.* His majesty is said 
to have drawn the design himself, intending to have 
made a navigable stream thence to the river Ouse. It 
has a chapel of ease appendant to Coveney, where the 
clergyman resides. About the year 1753, certain pieces 
of land becoming forfeited, the same were re-granted by 
the lord of the manor, at a court there held, to eight 
trustees, who are empowered to apply the rents for the 
use of the poor; and the rents of a house and of certain 
other lands are directed to be paid in support of a school¬ 
master, to instruct poor children of the hamlet in reading. 
It consists of 657 inhabitants, viz. 342 males and 315 
females. 


WELCH’S-DAM 

Is an extra-parochial place, consisting of a few straggling- 
houses, at the extremity of the Forty-feet or Vermuyden’s 
Drain, where it empties itself into the Old Bedford river. 
It has its own overseer, and in the population returns 
of 1821, there appear to have been 156 inhabitants, 
viz. 87 males and 69 females. 

This closes the account of the villages in the isle of 
Ely, circumjacent to the ancient town of Wisbech, and 
and we may remark that they are, for the most part, 
well built. The pale brick and tile, manufactured in 
these parts, give a very neat appearance to the houses, 


* See note, page 45. 


WALSOKEN. 


601 


^and the reed thatches of the barns and cottages are 
warm and durable. Most of the churches are handsome, 
whose tall steeples are visible at a great distance, and 
though the country cannot boast of rural beauty, there 
is an air of neatness and of greater comfort than are 
usually to be seen in many other agricultural districts. 
The prosperity of a country is not altogether displayed 
in its fine arts, its literature, or its accomplishments : 
these, indeed, are the consequences of its prosperity, 
but its cause is to be found in the poorer classes 
being in a flourishing condition, and able to earn 
such a competency as shall not only meet their present 
wants, but enable them to lay up a little share of their 
earnings against old age and accidents: the great thing 
is to make the peasantry feel as their fathers have done,— 
that the bread purchased by their own earnings is much 
sweeter than any that can be given them. 

It was observed in the early part of this work, that 
the town of Wisbech is situated at the northern extremity 
of the county,* on which side it borders upon Norfolk, 
and the canal running on the north-east side divides 
Wisbech from the parish of Walsoken, which lies in the 
latter county. The erection of a bridge over the canal 
has rendered an easy communication from thence with 
Wisbech, and has led to the building of not less than 
one hundred houses, so immediately adjoining as to con¬ 
stitute a sort of suburb to the town ; we shall therefore 
conclude our account of the vicinity of Wisbech with a 
concise description of Walsoken, and a few towns 
adjoining in Norfolk. These neighbouring towns lie 


* See page 6. 


602 


HISTORY OF 


in that part called the country of Marshland, which con¬ 
tains thirty thousand acres of land, and is bounded on 
the east by the river Ouse, on the west by the Nene, on 
the north by the sea banks, and on the south by the 
county of Cambridge. Here are situated those tracts 
of common lands called Marshland smeeth, and Marsh¬ 
land fen, (about eight thousand acres) in the several 
parishes or townships of Walsoken, Enmeth, before 
mentioned, and of West Walton, Walpole St. Peter, 
and Walpole St. Andrew, Terrington St. Clement and 
Terrington St. John, together with Tilney All Saints, 
Tilney St. Lawrence, Islington, and Clenchwarton; for 
the draining, improving, and inclosing whereof, an act of 
parliament was obtained in the year 1796. It has been 
before remarked, that the Saxons were invited to settle 
in these parts from the fertility of the soil,* which 
character it still sustains. The towns in Marshland 
have generally Saxons names, and the lords of many of 
those towns were accounted for with their fees and 
tenures, as held both in the time of king Edward the 
Confessor, and in that of the Conqueror. We shall com¬ 
mence with 


WALSOKEN. 

In this parish was a manor called Marshes, from the 
family of De Marisco, who held lands of the see of Ely, 
and which was some times called Ely manor. This 
lordship afterwards came to the Colviles ; but the princi¬ 
pal manor of Walsoken is called by the name of Popenhoe, 
and was given to the abbey of Ramsey, by Ailwin, duke 
of the East Angles,f and was confirmed to that house 


* See page 17. 


t Parkyns, page 259. 


WALSOKEN. 


603 


by king Edgar. On the dissolution of the abbey, it 
came to the crown, and was afterwards granted by king 
Henry VIII., in his 36th year, (1544) by the name of 
Popenhoe, alias Walsoken manor, with the advowson of 
the rectory, to Sir Thomas Wriothesley and Sir Richard 
Southwell, (the latter of whom was one of the king’s 
visitors of the abbeys, 8cc.) who conveyed the same to 
Thomas Barrow, esq. and the estate passed by divers 
conveyances through the hands of Everard Buckworth, 
of Wisbech, and Thomas Oxburgh, trustees for Sir 
Thomas Hewar, of Emneth, to John Colvile, esq. who 
sold it to John Creed, esq. of Oundle, where it remained 
until 1762, w ? hen it came to the present worthy pro¬ 
prietor, William Walcot, esq. There are also two other 
small manors. The church is a handsome edifice, dedi¬ 
cated to All Saints, and has a nave, and north and south 
aisles, with a chancel covered with lead. At the west 
end is a handsome ornamented tower, with a spire of 
freestone. The nave of the church is divided from the 
aisles by seven handsome semi-circular Saxon arches on 
each side, ornamented with the cheveron. Over the 
pillars is the like number of windows, with emblems of 
the twelve tribes of Judah underneath. The roof is 
supported by carved work, decorated with figures of 
angels placed in the niches. A very beautiful and 
elegant pointed Saxon arch separates the nave from the 
chancel, which is about forty feet in length, over which 
are the royal arms. The aisles extend the whole length 
of the church, to the extremity of the chancel, though 
separated by a screen on each side, where the arch, 
dividing the chancel from the nave, commences; and as 
there were formerly several guilds in the church, it is 
not improbable but the chapels or chantries were held 
within these divisions. One of such guilds was called 


604 


HISTORY OF 


the Assumption of our Lady, another Saint Thomas, the 
martyr; also others dedicated to the Nativity of our 
Lady, the Nativity of Saint John, and of the Trinity. 
At the east end of the north aisle, within this division, 
was the chapel of our Lady; a slab to the memory of 
William Honyter, who by his will desires to be buried 
by his brethren in the chapel of our Lady, ascertains the 
fact, by his interment in this spot. There are two other 
very ancient monuments on the floor of this chapel, on 
one was “ Orate p aia Thome Honyter qui obiit 1 mo 
“ Apr 1505;” the other, “ Orate p aia Tho Mey et 
if Katerine Uxor suae another stone is fixed against 
the wall in the shape of a coffin, within an arch, which 
seems formerly to have been a door way, opening into 
the church yard, it is inscribed to Frances, the wife of 
Henry Hunston, who died in 1685,t and in the wall 
opposite is a large recess, probably used for holy water. 
This part of the north aisle, not being at present required 
for the accommodation of the parishioners in their attend¬ 
ance on divine service, is now used by the churchwardens 
as a place for laying up any heavy articles belonging to 
the church, and in depositing coals, &c. At the east 
end of the south aisle, within the screen, are two raised 
monumental tombs, one to the memory of John Oldman 
and his wife; he died in 1733, and she in 1727 ; the 
other is to Edward Wignall, who died in 1763; with 
three monumental stones on the floor, to the memory of 
the family of Edwards, of whom Thomas died in 1679, 
William in 1682, and Stephen in 1709 ;% and at the east 
end of the chapel is a table of gifts to the poor, adjoining 
to which is the vestry, separated therefrom by a wall. 

* Parkyns. t See monuments of Wisbech church, page 262. 

t Ibid page 261. 


WALSOKEN. 


605 


The two side aisles at the east end are divided from the 
chancel by two elegant Saxon arches on each side, similar 
to those in the nave of the church, ornamented with the 
cheveron. 

In the chancel, over the communion table, is the 
decalogue, with the creed and Lord’s prayer, and in the 
centre is a painting of Moses holding a wand ; within the 
rails is a mural monument with the following inscription : 

Near this place lye interred the bodies of John Hering, 
“ M.A., thirty-six years rector of this parish, aged 75, 
“ buried 2d June 1717, and of Martha, his wife, daugh^ 
“ ter of Thomas Potts, of the parish of St. Gregory’s, 
11 London, aged 44, buried 3d January 1704. 

“ This monument is erected in grateful memory of his 
“ excellent parents, by their only son, Thomas, lord 
“ archbishop of Canterbury, 1750.” # 

Without the rails of the chancel, on the pavement, is a 
slab to the memory of Dorothy Wright, who died in 1691, 
and whose daughter married John Twells, esq.f who died 
in 1691. Also of John Wakefield, who died in 1777; 
besides which are four other slabs, so defaced as to set 
any decyphering at defiance. 

In the north aisle is a mural monument to Ann, wife 
of Henry Ferrour,J who died in 1692. In the middle aisle 
are several ancient slabs, having formerly had brass 
effigies, now disrobed, and the inscriptions obliterated. 
More recent ones record the memory of Peter Wensley, 
son of Robert Wensley, clerk, who died in 1711 ; and 

* See Biography, page 431. t See page 268. $ See page 262. 


/ 


606 


HISTORY OF 


another of Thomas, son of Edward Southwell, who died 
in 1692, and intermarried with a Wensley; another to 
Elinor Juett, who died in 1715, and James Welch, in 
1766. In the south aisle is interred Elizabeth, daughter 
of William Scales, who died in 1694; likewise Esther 
and William Pratt. The font is curiously ornamented 
with imagery work of many saints, our Saviour’s passion, 
and the seven sacraments of the church of Rome; 
round the foot of it, “ Remember the soul of S. Honyter, 
“ and Margaret, his wife, and John Beforth Chaplin.”* 
Against the wall of the steeple, within-side, is the effigy 
of king Solomon, sitting on a chair or throne, in royal 
robes, projecting from the wall, and on each side of him 
a large piece of painting, representing the history and 
judgment of that king on the two harlots, and under¬ 
neath, that of king David with his harp. A gallery for 
singers has also been erected at the west end. 

In the church yard is a handsome monumental stone, 
on the south side, to the memory of Elizabeth, wife of 
the Rev. Thomas Sheepshanks, M.A.f and last surviving 
daughter of John and Judith Garland ; she died in child¬ 
bed 20th April 1782, leaving an only daughter.J There 
are other grave stones to the memory of the Wensleys, 
and one to Thomas, son of Edward Southwell, grandson 
to Robert Wensley, who died in 1692. 

A stone cross also stands on the south side of the 
church yard, having three steps. It was not unusual 
formerly to set up crosses in places where bodies were 
buried. 


* Parkyns. t See page 370. 

t Now the wife of Thomas Wilkins, esq. of Eingstead House, Thrapston, 
N ortkamptonshire.’ 


WALSOKEN. 


607 


There was formerly a chapel, dedicated to the Holy 
Trinity, standing at a place called the Staythe, or Stave 
Dyke, in which was a guild, with a custos or master. 
Several of the popes granted to the brothers and sisters 

of this fraternity, and to all who were benefactors to it, 

* 

surprising indulgences. On 3d October 1491, an indul¬ 
gence of forty days was granted to the believers of the 
hospital of the Holy Trinity of Walsoken, which was 
again renewed in the following year. On its dissolution, 
king Edward VI. granted it to Mary, duchess of Rich¬ 
mond and Somerset. Soon after this, Robert Balam # 
held it, from whom it came to Charles Balam, who died 
seized of it in 1591, leaving Robert, his son and heir, 
aged twelve. The site of this chapel is well known, 
lying about three quarters of a mile in an eastern direction 
from the church, near what is called the Gull. 

There is no endowed school in the parish. Bene¬ 
factions have been from time to time left in land and 
money, to the amount of £ 40. or £ 50. per annum, the 
rents and interest whereof are distributed in money 
amongst such of the poor as receive no parochial relief, 
and who live in dwellings under the value of £ 10. per 
annum. 

In 1811, the population was 840, which of course 
rapidly increased by the erection of more than one hundred 
houses, as before mentioned, in that part adjoining to the 
town of Wisbech, across the canal; so that in the year 
1821, it consisted of 1240 inhabitants, and is still in¬ 
creasing ; this part has now obtained the name of 
u New Walsoken.” 


* See page 179. 


GOB 


HISTORY OF 


The Rev. Marmaduke Alington is the present rector 
of* the church, who, by virtue of an agreement with his 
parishioners, receives a clear annual sum of £ 600. and 
the parish are bound to provide a curate for the due 
performance of divine worship. 

Rectors since 1700. 

John Herring, father of Dr. Thomas, Archbishop of 
a.d. Canterbury, 

1717 Edward Cross, 

1733 Paul Bachelor, 

1742 John Foster, D.D. 

1788 Marmaduke Alington, A.M. 

WEST WALTON, 

So named from the wall or mound which was to defend 
it from the tides, &c., and called West in respect to 
another Walton in the hundred lying east of it: it is 
in Marshland, about three miles distant from Wisbech. 
A Saxon thane of great possessions was lord of it in the 
Confessor’s time. At the survey it had seven salt works.* 
The prior of Lewes held a manor here, which took in great 
part of Walsoken, Walpole, Terrington, &c.; this, on 
the dissolution, was granted to Thomas Howard, duke of 
Norfolk, together with the mediety of the church belong¬ 
ing to the said priory, but was afterwards forfeited to the 
crown, on the attainder of the duke of Norfolk. In 
10th king James I. this lordship, with that of Walsoken 

* Certain rents of salt used heretofore to he paid by divers persons who 
held lands of the lords of the manor here, and it may be observed that 
few towns in this hundred, lying near to the Ouse, &c. were without salt 
pits, or salt works, at the conquest, as well as after. See also page 6. 


WEST WALTON. 


609 


and Walpole, was conveyed to John Hare, esq., brother 
of Sir Nicholas Hare ; which John Hare had a son, Hugh 
Hare, created lord Coleraine, in Ireland, in 1625; Hugh 
Hare, the first lord Coleraine, was a great florist, and much 
in favour with king Charles I., who created him an Irish 
baron when he was only nineteen years of age. On the 
breaking out of the civil wars, he attended on his 
majesty, supplied him with several sums of money, 
and gave up his seat at Longford, in Wiltshire, for a 
royal garrison, which was afterwards taken and plundered 
by the rebels. 

On the restoration, as a reward for his faithful services, 
he had an offer of an English peerage, which he refused. 
Henry, his eldest son, and second lord Coleraine, was an 
eminent antiquary and medallist. Henry Hare, the third 
and last baron of Coleraine, of that name and family, 
descended from John, younger brother of Sir Nicholas. 
His lordship married in 1717 Anne, only daughter of 
John Hanger, esq. some time governor of the bank of 
England ; her fortune was nearly £ 100,000. She sur¬ 
vived her lord five years, dying in 1754. This marriage 
was not attended with the felicity expected: within three 
years after it took place, her ladyship thought proper 
u utterly to forsake her lord’s bed and house,” nor could 
his repeated solicitations for twenty years, and offers of 
the most ample forgiveness, induce her to return. He, 
therefore, in 1740, formed a most solemn engagement* and 


* The following curious form of divorce, if it may be so called, is ex¬ 
tracted from the will of lord Coleraine : 

“ And whereas, it has been my heavy affliction, that Anne, lady Colei- 
raine, whom I married with an affectionate and upright heart, did in the 
third year of our marriage, about October 1720, without any just cause or 
provocation by me given, but with the encouragement of selfish, misinformed. 


610 


HISTORY OF 


connexion with Miss Rose Duplessis, daughter ol a 
French clergyman, by whom he had a daughter, Henrietta 
Rose Peregrina, who was married in 1763 to James 
Townshend, esq. alderman of Bishopsgate ward, London. 
His lordship died at Bath in 1749 ; Mrs. Townshend, his 
daughter, died in 1785, and the alderman, her husband, 
in 1787, when the estates devolved to their only son, 


and evil-disposed persons, in violation of her solemn covenant, forsake my 
bed and house: And whereas, from thenceforward unto the year 1740, I 
did, by letters and messages, and at sundry times, solicit my said wife to 
return to her domestic duties, according to the solemn engagement made 
between us at our marriage, which on my part I was ever disposed to keep 
and perform, and for that end, had for so many years denied myself all the 
comforts of a married life, though very agreeable to my temper and consti¬ 
tution ; and in my overtures I agreed to cancel all past offences, and receive 
and entertain and support her in a proper and ample manner, according to 
my fortune; and lastly, about the beginning of April 1740, I employed 
James West, esq. of Lincoln’s Inn, (who seemed to think her not averse to 
a reconciliation) to offer the like ample and honourable terms to her, the 
said Anne, lady Coleraine, in order to prevail on her (if not determined to 
persist in a constant violation of her marriage vow) to come and live with 
me, govern my family, and partake in the enjoyment of my income ; and to 
this I was not led by the lucre of that ample provision her father had left 
her, nor deterred from it by the obvious apprehensions of the evils or in¬ 
conveniences that might follow, on taking into my bosom a person who had 
for so many years encouraged and habituated herself to a most obstinate 
and undeserved hatred and contempt for me. But when the said James 
West (as I have it under his own hand) sent to ask leave to offer ample 
terms of reconciliation from me, she returned him word, that she had no 
answer to give to such proposals. All which proceedings of the said lady 
Coleraine being well known and maturely weighed to and by Rose Duplessis, 
spinster, and myself, we two did on the 29th of April in the year last men- 
mentioned, in the presence of God, enter into a solemn mutual engagement 
to take each other for husband and wife, and to perform to each other the 
positive and relative duties of that relation : in consequence whereof, she, 
the said Rose, whom I esteem as my only true and virtuous wife, brought 
me a daughter on the 12th day of September, whom I have named Henrietta 
Rose Peregrina.” His lordship then goes on to make some family settle¬ 
ments, & c. 


WEST WALTON. 


611 


Henry Hare Townsend, esq. # The bishop of Ely had 
formerly a manor here, which continued in the see until 
the reign of queen Elizabeth ; it then came to the crown, 
and is now held by Sir William H. J. B. Folkes, baronet, 
by lease from the crown. The Colvile family also 
once held a manor here, formerly Marshes’ or De 
Mari sco. 

The family of Repps also had anciently a manor and 
lands in this town, called Lovell’s manor. Ralph de 
Repps lived in the time of the Conqueror. Thomas de 
Repps was a commissioner of sewers to view the sea¬ 
walls, bridges, and causeways along the sea coast, in 
2d Edward ILL (1327.) And in 5th Charles I. (1629,) 
Henry Repps, esq. died, seized of a capital messuage 
and three hundred and twenty-four acres of land, of 
which John Repps, esq. was possessed about 1750, who 
died, leaving three daughters his co-heiresses. Frances 
married the reverend Mr. Baldwin, rector of Brand Parva, 
Dorothy married George Schultz, esq., and Virtue, John 
Hayes, esq. The estate became, by purchase, the 
property of the late James Bellamy, esq. of Wisbech, and 
now belongs to his representatives. 

The church of West Walton is dedicated to St. Mary. 
It has a very handsome curious freestone tower, standing 
south of the church, a few yards distant,f in which are 
five bells. The nave and south aisle are covered with 


* This gentleman died in the month of March 1827, leaving an only son, 
the Rev. Chauncey Hare Townsend. 

t The steeple of the patriarchal church of St. Mark, at Venice, stands 
detached at a small distance from the church, as do many others in Italy. 
Moore’s View of Italy , vol. i. page 47. 

2 Q 


I 


612 


HISTORY OF 

lead. The roof is supported by six pillars on each side, 
dividing the the nave from the aisles, over each of which 
is a painted emblem of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

On the north side of the chancel, a little advanced from 
the pavement, used to lie the figure of a religious person 
in his habit, under a tabernacle, said to be an abbot. 
John Wace, priest of West Walton, was also buried in 
this church in 1536. 

The chancel, having lately undergone repairs, has been 
considerably shortened, so that the ancient monument of 
the abbot under a tabernacle is not now to be seen. 
There is a marble slab on the pavement to the memory 
of Thomas Fawssett, of Wisbech, gentleman, who died 
18th April 1798, set 65, and of Alice Catherine, 
his wife, who died 30th March 1807, get 73. # In the 
north aisle, at the east end, are two monumental stones 
raised to the memory of the before mentioned family of 
the Repps’; one is said to have had the date of 1561, and 
the other 1566, but the inscriptions are much defaced. 
In the nave is a large marble stone, which has been 
ornamented with a rim of brass, said to be to the 
memory of Richard Smith, a former rector in 1422. 
A neat mural monument has been recently placed at the 
east end of the north aisle, to the memory of Hannah 
Norton Wing, the late wife of John Wing, esq, of 
Wisbech, who died 19th August 1825, get 31. “ leaving 
“ the remembrance of her virtues for a lesson to her 
“ children.” There is a small organ set up in the church 
by the present worthy and accomplished rector, and a 
singing gallery. 

* The father and mother of major Fawssett, mentioned in note, 
page 31. 


WEST WALTON. 


613 


The porch to the entrance of the church is formed of 
beautiful stone workmanship, of the Saxon order. 

On a tablet affixed in the wall, within the church, in 
the north aisle, is the following record : 

“To the immortal praise of God Almighty, that saveth 
“ his people in adversity, be it kept in perpetual memory, 
“ that on the 1st day of November 1613, the sea broke 
“ in and overflowed all Marshland, to the great danger of 
“ men’s lives and loss of goods. 

“ On the 3d and 20th days of March 1614, this country 
“ was overflowed with the fresh water, and on the 12th 
“ and 13th days of September 1671, all Marshland was 
“ again overflowed by the violence of the sea.” 

The church consists of two medieties, one in the 
patronage of the crown, held at this time by the reverend 
William Fawssett, A.M., and the other in the patronage 
of Henry Hare Townsend, esq., which is held by the 
reverend Atwill Lake, A.M. son of the late Sir Atwill 
Lake, baronet. 

The bishop of Ely had a grant from king Henry III. of 
a weekly market here on Wednesday, and a fair every 
year on the day and day after the Assumption of the 
blessed Virgin, (15th and 16th August.) 

Benefactions. 

Mrs. Dales, of Walton, after certain bequests, gave 
the residue of her property to trustees, for the purpose of 
establishing a school for the instruction of such poor 
children in reading and writing, as her trustees should 
deem incapable of paying for their instruction. Such 

2 q 2 


614 


HISTORY OF 


residue being converted into money, was invested in 
the public funds, and purchased £753. 15s. capital 
stock, in the three per cent, consolidated annuities, 
producing at this time a neat income of £22. 12s. 2 cl. 
which is paid to the master, to which the late Sigismund 
Trafford Southwell, esq. # added an annual donation of 
five guineas. The present master is Mr. George 
Shacklock. 

The surviving trustees of this charity are 

The Hon. and Rt. Rev. Lord Bishop of Kildare, 

Thomas Fawssett, esq. of Townley Castle, Ramsgate, 

Mr. Thomas Bean, of Walton, 

Mr. William Bean, ditto, 

Mr. Daniel Aldham, ditto, 

Mr. John Coker Aldham, ditto. 

When the trustees are reduced to three, the survivors 
are to elect such other persons as shall make six or seven 
at most. 

The churchwardens and overseers receive the rents 
of a tenement or public house called Walton Ferry House, 
and two acres of land in Gull Drove Field, in Walton, 
abutting upon the river bank. 

Also eight acres in the marsh, on the west side of the 
river; seven acres in Eardale Field ; six acres in Dixon 
Field; three acres in Newland Field, and two acres and 
three roods in the same field, all in Walton; and of 
ten acres and two roods of land in Walpole St. Peter’s, 
together with two separate annuities of £ 1. each. The 

* See page 490. 


WALPOLE ST. PETER’S. 


615 


rents arising from these last mentioned lands, and 
amounting to sums varying from £50. to £60. per annum, 
are regularly distributed about Christmas time to the most 
deserving and meritorious poor. Also there are nine 
almshouses or cottages in Walton, inhabited by such 
poor men, as, from bodily infirmities, or from numerous 
families, are incapable themselves of paying rents out of 
their own earnings. 

WALPOLE or WALLPOOLE ST. PETER’S* 

Takes its name from the Roman vallum against the 
sea, to which it is contiguous, and is situate in Norfolk, 
between six and seven miles from Wisbech. 

There are several mounds in different parts of the 
township, which were probably of Roman origin,f and 
some remains of a Roman aqueduct were discovered about 
a century ago, which have been before referred to.J 

All the mention made of Walpole in Domesday book 
is, that John, nephew of one Waleran, an officer under 
the Conqueror, held lands at Walpole,§ though it ap¬ 
pears that the church of Ely and the earl Warren held 
considerable lordships in the township of Walpole at 
that time. 

In the township of Walpole there were formerly eight 
manors.|| 1. Earl of Clare’s, or Lovell’s manor, which 

* The emblems of the cross keys and cross swords are always placed 
together in the church, so that it is not improbable it was dedicated (like 
Wisbech) to St. Peter and St. Paul. 

t See page 578. It has been said that the Romans had a station here 
for their cavalry in summer, which was changed for Castle Acre in the 
winter months. 

$ See page 11. 


§ Vide Blomefield. 


|| See page 576, note. 


616 


HISTORY OF 


probably descended to him from John, the nephew of 
Waleran; it was a small lordship. There is still the site 
of Clare’s house,* at Cross Keys, near a farm-house in the 
possession of Mr. Jump, solicitor, of Wisbech, and is 
called a decayed and reputed manor.f 

2. Ely manor : this was given to the monastery at 
Ely by Oswi, the father of Ailwin, afterwards bishop of 
Elmham.f When Ely became an episcopal see, the 
manor was attached to it as a part of its revenue. § The 
bishop of Ely had the patronage of St. Peter’s church, 
and with the prior of Lewes, held here a weekly market || 
on Thursday. In the reign of Elizabeth, 1580, this 
manor and patronage of the church came to the crown. 

The manor of Walpole Eldred, now lord Coleraine’s, 
was given to the monastery of Ely, and with the 
advowson of the rectory, belonged to the bishop of Ely 
until the reign of queen Elizabeth, who obtained botli 
the manor and rectory of the bishop.** The manor was 
sold by king James to Sir John Eldred, and was pur¬ 
chased about the year 1720, of one of his descendants, 
by lord Coleraine.ff 

3. Marshe's or Colvile’s manor. Sir William Marsh 
had it 2d Richard I. (1190) and it afterwards came 
by marriage to Sir Roger Colvile, about a.d. 1300. 
Colvile’s manor is near the Cross Keys, being part of a 
farm, one portion of which is in possession of Mr. 
Allen, and the other of Mr. Jump. Steed Girdlestone, 
esq. is now the lord of the manor of Walpole Colvile. 

* In the Terrier, this is called “ Corpus Cliristi Hall.” 
t Vide Bloomfield. * See page 116. § See page 114. 

|| The site where this market was held appears to be in East Drove, 
opposite the Black Horse inn. f See p. 114. ** Ibid, ft See p. 609. 


WALPOLE ST. PETER’S. 


617 


4. Walpole’s manor: from this the earls of Orford, 
according to the Norman custom, assumed the name of 
Walpole, and appear to have been very early enfeoffed 
of lands in this township. Ralph de Walpole was bishop 
of Ely in 27th Edward I. (1298); and about this period 
the family removed from Walpole to Houghton, on the 
marriage of Richard, son of Reginald de Walpole, with 
Emma, daughter of Walter, son of William de Harelton, 
or Houghton. In 5th Edward II. (1312) Llenryde Walpole 
appears to have been lord both of Houghton and 
Walpole.* 

5. Rochford’s manor. The family de Rochford, who 
took their name from a town in Essex, had a manor here 
held of the see of Ely. Sir Ralph, son of Sir Sayer de 
Rochford, who married the daughter and co-heiress of 
Sir James Walpole, lived at Walpole in the year 1350, 
he was probably a large contributor towards building the 
church of St. Peter, and was buried in that church a.d. 
1369. These manorial lands remained in the Rochford 
family until about a.d. 1500, when they became vested in 
the see of Ely, the bishop being then capital lord, and 
thus remained until they came to the crown in the reign 
of Elizabeth. 


* Little more than conjecture can now be offered respecting the site of 
the ancient residence of the Walpole family. The moated remains of a 
house formerly of some consideration are still to be seen in a field belonging 
to the late H. H. Townsend, esq., to the north-west of the house now 
captain Falkner’s, occupied by Israel Smith ; these remains are held of 
Walpole fee. The family “ de Walpole” does not appear to have lived in 
Walpole after they came into possession of Houghton ; it is therefore 
probable that this might have been their hall; and when Sir Ralph de 
Rochford married a co-heiress of Sir James Walpole, this hall came into the 
Rochford family, and the site is to this day known by the name of Rochford, 
or, as it is now corrupted, Richford. 


618 


HISTORY OF 


6. Denver’s manor or Godard’s appears to have been 
a division of Walpole’s manor. Henry de Walpole (who 
lived in the reign of Henry III.) dying without issue, 
his manor was divided between his two aunts, Isabel 
and Alice de Walpole. Alice married Walter de 
Denver, about 30th Henry III. (1245.) Walter Godard 
married Catherine, an heiress of Denver, (1381) 5th 
Richard II., and held the manor and advowson of 
Walpole chapel, and presented to the church a.d. 1395. 
He probably was a great contributor also to the building 
of the church, the arms of Denver and Godard being 
on the south porch. In 1511, Sir James Hobart held 
this manor and the advowson of the chantry in the chapel 
of St. Catharine, in Walpole, and Sir Walter Hobart 
had the advowson of St. Mary’s chapel at the fen end 
in Walpole. Afterwards it came into the family of the 
Hunstons, # and Thomas Hunston sold it to John Hare, 
with certain messuages, lands, &c. that came to the 
Kunstons from the Godards,f Walpoles and Rochfords. 

7. Prior of Lewes’ manor. This was a part of the 
prior’s capital manor of West Walton, for William, earl 
Warren, founder of the priory of Lewes, in Sussex, 
in the time of W illiam the Conqueror, gave the manor 
of West Walton to that convent. The prior had the 
advowson of the church of St. Andrew in Walpole, 
of the gift of Hamelin Piantagenet, earl Warren, with 


* Ilenry Hunston and liis heirs held much land in Walpole in the reign 
of Elizabeth, as appears from terriers at that time. He was buried in the 
church of St. Peter, and probably lived in the capital messuage to the 
south-west of the church, belonging to the late H. II. Townsend, esq. (late 
Coleraine’s.) 

t No remains of a residence of the Denvers or Godards in Walpole are 
now discoverable ; there are several fields now held of Denver’s fee, near 
Kettle Row and the Casto Dyke, (now Wisbech turnpike) : the houses in 
Kettle Row are called the Old Almshouses. 


WALPOLE ST. PETER’S. 


619 


a weekly market on Thursday, and a fair on the feast of 
St. Peter, and for two days more, in common with the 
bishop of Ely. At the dissolution, it fell to the crown, 
and in 29th Henry VIII. (1537,) was granted to Thomas, 
duke of Norfolk, with the appropriated rectory and 
advowson of the vicarage, and purchased by John Hare, 
esq. who also, about 1604, bought the Hunston estate, 
and the whole then passed to lord Coleraine, who died 
possessed of it in 1749, and on his death it came as an 
escheat to the crown, his daughter being a minor and an 
alien. 

8. PanneTs manor. Christopher Langham had livery 
of it in 1539, held, as it is said, by the prior of Lewes, 
and which formerly belonged to the family of Welby in 
Lincolnshire, and afterwards, in the reign of Henry VIII., 
this manor came into the Coney family, and Thomas 
Coney, of Sutton, in Lincolnshire, father of William 
Coney, esq. of Walpole, one of the justices of the peace, 
lived here. William had a son, Robert, who married 
Alice, daughter of Sir Robert Barkham, of Wainfleet, 
knight, about 1655, and the family became residents at 
Walpole, where they continued until the death of colonel 
Coney in 1801. 

Of these manors that of Walpole Col vile alone 
retains its name, which still continues a distinct manor, 
of which Mr. Girdlestone is the lord ; all the others are 
merged in two great manors, Walpole Eldred and West 
Walton Coleraine ; Walpole Eldred contains the manors 
of Ely, Walpole, Rochford, Denver and the Honour 
of Clare; West Walton Coleraine contains that of the 
prior of Lewes and Pannels, of both which the reverend 
Chauncey Hare Townsend, only son of the late Henry 
Hare Townsend, esq. is lord. 


620 


HISTORY OF 


The church of St. Peter is one of the most beautiful 
parish churches in England, built of freestone, con¬ 
sisting of a nave, two aisles, and a chancel, all covered 
with lead, with a noble stately tower of stone embattled, 
standing at the west end. 

The first notice taken of a church here is in the 3d 
Edward I., (1274) when it was found to be in the 
patronage of the bishop of Ely. Blomefield mentions 
the glazing of the church windows in 1423. The right 
of presentation remained in the see of Ely until the 
reign of Elizabeth, when it came to the crown, and has 
continued to be a crown living up to the present time.* 

Over the entrance of the south porch are the arms of 
Godard and of Denver, and between them Godard and 
Denver quartered, with two coats of arms east and west, 
unintelligible at the present time. An intermarriage took 
place between these families, from whence sprung Sir 
John Godard, governor of Loviers, in Normandy, in 6th 
Henry V. On the south side, over the archway, beneath 
the altar, is a figure of the amulet worn by the Rochfords. 
Walter Godard, who married Catherine, the heiress of 
Denver, quartered the arms about 1375. And Sir Ralph 
de Rochford, who married Maud, daughter and co¬ 
heiress of Sir J. Walpole, lived in Walpole at this time. 


* In tlie register of Walpole St. Peter’s, of the date of 1732, is the 
following entry : The rule of tithing is to ascertain the distinct rights of 
the two livings as follows: All lands holden of the manors late Eldred, 
Colvile, and Clare, pay great tithes, and all houses standing on such lands 
pay small tithes to the rector. All lands holden of the manor of West 
Walton cum Membris pay great tithes to the impropriator, and all houses 
standing on such lands pay small tithes to the vicar. 


WALPOLE ST. PETER’S. 


621 


These most probably have been the great benefactors 
towards the building of the present elegant church, the 
date of which may be fixed at about a.d. 1400. Formerly 
there was much painted glass of saints, &c. in the 
windows of the chancel, no relics of which are now to 
be found, the greater part having been removed about 
forty years ago, on the reparation of the church, though 
the spoliation might have commenced long before. 

The font is curious, with this date thereon, “ Anno. 
“ Dili. MCCCC. x— „ ,,” and “ O thanks O” with 
union roses intermixed. The top of the font is neatly 
carved in wood, the pannel painted, and the whole opens. 

In the chancel is a mural monument, and under an arch 
in the south wall is a small effigy of a man kneeling 
before a desk, with a book, erected by William Coney, 
esq. on which are these hexameters : 

u En pius ornator templi benefactor egenis 
“ Solamen patriae consorti fidus amicus 
“ Robertus Butler obiit anno 1630, aet 59.” 

Mr. Butler was a public benefactor to the parish,* and 
probably contributed to ornament the interior of the 
church, it being presumed that about this time he placed 
the beautiful carved work over the font. 

A fine brass eagle, used as a reading desk,f with ex¬ 
panded wings, supported by three lions, stands in the 
nave, and likewise a handsome brass chandelier is sus¬ 
pended from the roof. 


* See public benefactions in a following page. 


t See page 532, note. 


HISTORY OF 


022 


A poor box on the entrance to the middle aisle bears 
date 1634. In the chancel are ancient seats, ornamented 
with figures painted in front. These sedilia or stone 
stalls are found in many of our parish churches, and 
have been differently accounted for by antiquarians. 
Some have called them confessionaries; others say that 
they were constructed solely for the accommodation of 
the priests at certain intervals during the celebration of 
mass. They are generally placed near the altar, frequently 
under beautiful Gothic arches, subdivided and enriched 
with buttresses, finials, &c.* The ascent to the com¬ 
munion table has a grand appearance, consisting of twelve 
steps, which, on the outside, form an open arch to w 7 alk 
through, making a communication from the north to the 
south side of the church yard. The space under this arch 
is said to have been formerly used by the parishioners, who 
were obliged by the badness and length of the ways to 
come on horseback, as a shelter for their steeds, whilst 
they themselves were attending divine service in the 
church. 

In the chancel is a brass memorial to Sir John Whetan/p 
another to the wife and son of Barnabas Frencham ; also 
marble slabs to Henry Frencham and William Hart,;}; 
all rectors of this parish : part of a stone records the de¬ 
cease of Francis Ireland, vicar of St Andrew’s, a.d. 1632, 
and another of William Waterhouse, curate. On the 
south side is a mural monument to Robert Butler, and 
to T. Colborn, vicar of St. Andrew’s. 

* Arcliadogia, vol.2. 

t “ Of your cliaritie pray for the soul of Syr John Whetan su’ tyme 
“ p’son of Walpole and of Leverington, wche decessied the 23d July 1537, 
“ on whose soul, I’hu, have mercy.” 

t William Hart died 2d May 1726, set 79. The descendants of this 
family now reside at Boston, in Lincolnshire. 



WALPOLE ST. PETER’S. 


623 


At the east end of the north aisle is a slab, which once 
was the top of an altar monument to Sir Ralph de 
Rochford, and Maud, his wife, who were buried there 
a.d. 1369.* 

By the side of this is a slab, now covered over by a 
seat, which has lost its brass, and was in memory of 
William, son of Sir John de Rochford, constable of 
Wisbech castle in 1403.J* 

At the upper end of the middle aisle is a gravestone, 
of which the brass is lost, and about which nothing is 
known. Lower down is a gravestone with a brass plate, 
to the memory of Mr. Butler, above referred to. 

To the north of the middle aisle, and south of the 
Coneys’ vault, was formerly an altar monument in memory 
of one of the Hunston family, possibly Henry Hunston, 
who married Jane, daughter of Sir John Audley, of 
Swaffham, knight, as it appears from Blomefield, that 
the arms of Hunston and Audley were quartered on the 
tomb; but within the last six or seven years this tomb 
has been destroyed, and seats are now placed over it by 
the churchwardens, who have shewn greater zeal for 
modern accommodation, than respect for the memory of 
the dead, and the remains of antiquity. 

The east end of the south aisle is railed and taken in 
by a screen, in which is the vault of the Coney family, 

’The legend on the tomb was“Radulphus "RochfordMiles, annomillesimo 
tricentissimo sexagessimo nono.” This date on brass was lost in 1730. 
Memorandum in Register , 1732. See page 234. 
t See page 130. 


624 


HISTORY OF 


with carved stones in memory of eight of its different 
members, viz. Robert Coney, who died 1707, set 75; 
Alice, his wife, daughter of Sir Robert Barkham, died 
in 1676, set 41 ; Robert, their son, died in 1681, set 21 ; 
William, their son, died 1742, set 82, who married a 
daughter of Sir H. Edwin; Edwin, and Elizabeth, his 
wife, daughter of C. Turner, esq. of Lynn, she died 1745, 
set 46, he in 1755, set 68. Also Robert, and Ann, his 
wife, the former died in 1801, set 83, the latter in 1802, 
set 62. On a side stone are recorded their infant children; 
and lower down in this aisle are stones for the family of 
the Richards’. 

In the east end of the south aisle # was the chantry of 
St. James, which Sir Thomas Daniel, governor of Rising 
castle in the reign of Henry VI. had a patent to found 
and endow, with thirty-two acres of land ; and in one of 
the upper windows of this aisle used to be a profane 
representation of the Supreme Being, now very properly 
removed. 

4 

The chantry, (with the burying place of the Rochfords,) 
which appears to have been dedicated to St. Mary, was 
also in the south aisle, towards the east end. In the east 
window was a painting of Sir Ralph de Rochford in 
armour, and of his lady, on their knees. This Sir 
Ralph was a descendant of the one whose tomb is in 
the aisle, and was living in Walpole about 1446, he 


* I n the east window of this aisle was formerly the effigies of a person on 
his knees, with a broad belt over his shoulders, supplicating before the 
figure of St. James, and this label : 

“ Tu sis memor mei Jacobe in p sen’tia Dei.” 


WALPOLE ST. PETER’S. 


625 


appears to have married into the Godard family, as the 
female figure had on her vest the arms of Rochford and 
Godard. 


Rectors of Walpole Saint Peter’s. 

a.d. 

1400 Thomas Patesley, afterwards dean of Ely, 

1411 Bartholomew Colman, 

1537 John Whetan, died rector—brass in chancel at St. 
Peter’s, 

Andrew Pern, 

1594 William Brown, 

1598 John Jox, 

1599 Henry Frencham, 

1627 Barnabas French, 

1661 Tobias Hall, 

1669 Wexreslaus Libanus, 

1670 William Hart, 

1725 Henry Fysh, 

1743 William Everard, 

Dr. Stevens, 

1800 John Cross Morphew, A.M. 

1824 William Chester, A.M. 


Baptisms and Burials from St. Peter’s Register. 


Year. 

Baptisms. 

- Burials 

1560 

. 19 ... 

. 9 

1600 

. 25 ... 

. 21 

1650 

. 32 ... 

. 24 

1700 

. 26 ... 

. 15 

1750 

. 17 ... 

. 18 

1800 

_ 18 ... 

. 16 

1825 ... 

. 40 ... 

. 27 


By the census in 1821, the population was 1104. 
















626 


HISTORY OF 


WALPOLE ST. ANDREW’S 

A d joins to the parish of Walpole St. Peter’s, from which 
the church is not distant above three quarters of a mile 
across the fields, and is of stone, well built and regular, 
with a nave, north and south aisles, and a chancel. At 
the west end is a square tower with four bells. 

In the 3d Edward I. (1274) the prior of Lewes, in 
Sussex, was found to have the advowson of the church, 
of the gift of Hamelin Plantagenet, earl Warren. 

At the dissolution, the manor of the prior of Lewes, 
&c. in Walpole and West Walton, came to the crown in 
29th Henry VIII. (1537) and was granted to Thomas, 
duke of Norfolk, with the appropriated rectory and 
vicarage, and afterwards purchased by John Hare, esq. as 
mentioned in the account of this manor in the description 
of Walpole St. Peter’s.* 

Henry Hare, lord Coleraine, annexed to the vicarage 
the impropriation of the rectory a.d. 1730, and the 
patronage of this church still is in the hands of his 
descendant, the son of the late Henry Hare Townsend, 
esq.f 


* See page 619. 

t The following memorandum occurs in the register belonging to 
Walpole St. Peter’s : •« The crown presents to the rectory of Walpole Saint 
Peter, and the lord Coleraine to the vicarage of Walpole Saint Andrew, to 
which the present lord, out of his singular piety, has annexed the impropri¬ 
ation : T. Colbom, A.M. late fellow of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, and 
his lordship’s chaplain, now vicar, being the first clerical impropriator. One 
mediety of both churches is in the gift of the crown, and the other in the 
gift of lord Coleraine, and both rector and vicar ought to be presented to 
and inducted into a mediety of each church.” 


WALPOLE ST. ANDREW’S. 


627 


Little more than conjecture can be formed respecting 
the precise date of the building of the church of St. 
Andrew’s ; from its style of architecture and general ap¬ 
pearance, it may be placed fifty years posterior to the 
church of St. Peter’s. Blomefield mentions the arms 
of Rochford, Dennis, Dudley, &c., to have been 
painted in the windows. It appears that a descendant 
of lord Dudley’s intermarried with the daughter of Robert 
Godard about 1440. He seems to have inherited the 
property of the Dennis’, in Walpole, and possibly might 
be a benefactor towards the building of St. Andrew’s 
church. Blomefield has a curious extract from a will of 
a vicar of St. Andrew’s a.d. 1502. “ John Dacot, vicar, 

“ wills to be buried on the north side of this church, 

“ before his hall, # and gives thirty stone of lead to the 

* 

“ church work , and a suit of vestments of white damask, 
“ branched with angels of gold or lily pots, like the 
“ red suit in the said church, and a cow to the parish.” 
From these two data, therefore, we may place the building 
of this church between 1450 and 1500. 

i 

In the year 1809 upwards of £ 1000. was expended 
in repairing this church, which had fallen into a state of 
great dilapidation, and at that time a new window was 
placed at the east end of the chancel, against which, 
over the communion table, is a painting of the Descent 
from the cross. 

There are no monuments or stones of any antiquity. 
In the north aisle are the remains of one now obliterated, 
most probably it was in memory of John Dacot, men¬ 
tioned above. 


* The site of Dacot Hall is in the homestall of Mr. Charles Boon. 

2 R 


628 


HISTORY OF 


Two chapels or chantries appear to have been dedicated 
in this church ; one to St. James, and the other to St. 
Mary, both at the east end of the north and south 
aisles.* 


Vicars of Walpole St. Andrew's . 


A.D. 

1401 Richard Revel, 

1409 Richard Chamberlain, 
John Cannock, 

1472 William Canyngston, 
1504 Thomas Leman, 

1504 John Dacot, 

1580 William Dacot, 

1597 John Holland, 

1597 Robert Dixon, 


A.D. 

1599 Francis Ireland, 

1632 William Sandford, 

1653 Howard Bernard, 

1672 Bradley Coldnell, 

1684 William Hart, 

1725 Thomas Colburn, 

1762 Dr. Smith, 

1808 Robert Hankinson, M.A. 


Baptisms and Burials from St. Andrew's Register. 

Year. Baptisms. Burials. 

1654 8 4 

1700 4 3 

1750 3 4 

1800 4 1 

1825 22 17 


According to the census in 1821, the population was 
175 males, and 185 females, making together 360. 


* In the terrier mention is made of lands that formerly belonged to the 
chantry of St. James and to the chapel of St. Mary, both in the church of 
St. Andrew. 












WALPOLE ST. ANDREW’S. 


Chapels. 

There were formerly several chapels in the township of 
Walpole, of which no vestiges now remain, except that in 
the terriers several lands still retain the names of the 
chapels to which they once belonged. In all proba¬ 
bility they fell into decay at the time of the dissolution. 
1st. The chapel of St. Katherine,* which appears to 
have been situated on the west of East Drove, between 
March Lane and Reeves’ Lane. The advowson of this 
chapel once belonged to the Godards. 

2d. The chapel of St. Edmund.T This probably 
belonged to the Rochford family, against whose hall it 
was contiguous. The site of this chapel is to the east 
of West Drove, near March Lane on the south, and the 
field goes to this day by the name of Chapel Yard. 

3d. The chapel of St, Thomas,J which was after¬ 
wards converted into an inn, called the Saracen’s Head, 
and is now a farm house, occupied by Samuel Peckett, 

* In Long Swineholm field and St. Katherine’s. Henry Hare Townsend, 
esq. late Coleraine, holds (formerly the chapel of St. Katherine, now 
wasted) eighty-seven acres free, called Katherine, next Reeves’ lane north, 
March lane south, and East drove east. Terrier. 

t In Long Swineholm field ; H. H. Townsend, late Coleraine, held once 
a chapel, afterwards a cottage, and now all wasted, and one rood of free 
land abutting upon West drove west. 

$ Hogholm and Gressholm field ; Dillingham, late Johnson, holds the 
chapel of St. Thomas, now called the Saracen’s Head, next the common 
way on two parts. 

Thorough Field. Israel Smith, late Townsend, esq., holds a messuage, 
and two acres and two roods free, called Guild-hall of St. liionius, abutting 
upon East drove east. 


2 r 2 


C30 


HISTORY OF 


having East Drove to the west, and the turnpike to the 
south. In the neighbourhood of this chapel was the 
guild hall of St. Thomas, which appears to have been 
nearly opposite the present Methodist chapel. 

4th. The chapel of St. Mary, # at the fen end, which 
was situated on the East Drove, about half way between 
the casto dyke or turnpike and the smeeth gate ; the 
advowson of which was in the Godards, and afterwards 
in the Hobarts. 

5th. The chantry of St. James and St. Peter, which 
was on the site of the present poor house, abutting upon 
St. Peter’s church yard and the rectory north, and 
Chapel Gate to the west. 

6th. Blomefield mentions the chapel of St. Helen’s, 
at Cross Keys, but of this no mention is made, either in 
the terriers or any other document belonging to the 
parish. He says, “ the sea bank at this town from St. 
“ Helen’s chapel, next Terrington to Norich Gate in 
“ West Walton, is three miles.” 

Charities. 

1st. Butler’s charity, consisting of 37a. 1r. of land 
in Walpole, and four cottages, called Butler’s Alms¬ 
houses, left by Robert Butlerf a.d. 1630, to poor widows 
who have been born in the township of Walpole, and 
resident in the parish of Walpole St. Peter ten years 

* Lst ibm unu messuagiu nup Capell Bt® Mari® in le fen end inter 
East drove ex omnibus partibus. Terrier, reign of queen Elizabeth. 

t Mr. Butler dwelt in the house on the north west side of the church, 
wherein colonel Cony lived, and afterwards admiral Bentinck. 


WALPOLE ST. ANDREW’S. 


631 


at the least, immediately before her or their election, and 
have been but the wife of one husband. The rent of the 
above land is applied to the maintenance of four women, 
who occupy the cottages, and receive three and sixpence 
weekly, a chaldron of coals annually, and a blue cloth 
gown once in two years. 

2d. There are twenty-seven acres of land, unknown 
by whom and when left, called Town Bailiff land, the 
rent of which is applied to the repairs of the church ways; 
this rent is received by the churchwardens. 

3d. Dole Land in Walpole St. Peter’s, consisting 
of a house and twelve acres and one rood of land, 
which have since received in addition, by the inclosure 
of Marshland Smeeth and Fen, 27a. 1r. 7p. making a 
total of 39a. 2r. 7p. let for the annual rent of £81. 
It is also unknown when or by whom this land was left, 
or for what particular purpose. The rents are received 
by the churchwardens, and annually distributed amongst 
the most industrious poor, and such as maintain their 
families without parochial relief: the amount according 
to the size of the respective families. 

4th. Dole Land in Walpole St. Andrew’s; this con¬ 
sists of one messuage, one cottage, and twenty-three acres 
old inclosed land ; by the marsh inclosure (the award 
of which is dated in 1789) it received an addition of 
26a. 2r. 22p. and by the inclosure of the smeeth and 
fen (award dated 1803) it received 7a. 1r. 17p. of smeeth, 
and 27a. 3r. 20p. fen, making a total of 84a. 3r. 19p. 
and in 1813 let for the annual rent of £ 152. 10s. The 

present feoffees are Thomas Fawssett, esq. and Mr. John 

Esam Tweedy; the land, with the exception of the smeeth 


632 


HISTORY OF 


and fen, and four acres occupied by Mr. Jump, is divided 
into portions of one acre each, let to one of the poor 
of Walpole St. Andrew’s at a reduced rent. 

5th. A public free school is established for the in¬ 
struction of the children in the parishes of Walpole St. 
Peter’s and St. Andrew’s. T his was formerly kept over 
the south porch of St. Peter’s church; but in 1813 a 
new school-room was built by voluntary contribution. 
The master’s salary is paid by the rent of fifty-six acres 
of land left by Anthony Curton a.d. 1706, and situated 
in Terrington St. John’s. Mr. John Bridgman is the 
present master. 

It is in contemplation at this time to make application 
to the court of Chancery to appoint new trustees, several 
of the old ones being deceased, in order to consolidate 
the funds of the respective charities before mentioned, 
and to appropriate the benefit of them according to a 
decretal order. The worthy vicar of St. Andrew’s erected 
a room a few years ago adjoining to his dwelling house, 
which is set apart for a Sunday school: it is superintended 
by Mrs. R. Hankinson, under whose prudent management 
the whole is conducted, and not less than eighty scholars 
are instructed in useful learning. 

The quantity of land in the parish of Walpole St. 
Peter is about 7150 acres; in the parish of Walpole 
St. Andrew 2173, making a total of 9323 computed 
acres; of which, 5590 are arable, and 3733 grass. 

The Romish Saint, Goderick, is said to have been a 
native of Walpole St. Andrew, and to have originally 
followed the humble occupation of a pedlar ; he 


WALPOLE ST. ANDREW’S. 


633 


afterwards went on a pilgrimage to Rome, and even to 
Jerusalem : in the latter part of his life he became a 
hermit, and lived some time at Finchale, near Durham, 
where he is said to have worn out no less than three 
successive suits of iron clothes. Many miracles were 
ascribed to him, of which, and of his life, Matthew Paris 
gives a relation at large. # 

At the place called Cross Keys in this parish, is the 
passage over the Washes T to Long Sutton, in Lincoln¬ 
shire, at the mouth of the river Nene, which, being subject 
to the flux and reflux of the tides, is fordable only at 
low water for carriages, carts, and horses, and at no time 
for persons on foot, without great risk and danger. 
During certain periods of the winter season, even this 
passage across is entirely impeded and stopped, and at 
all times considered inconvenient and dangerous; to 
obviate which, it was resolved to construct a bridge 
across the channel, from the western to the eastern shore 
of this wash or river, and accordingly an act was last 
year obtained, intituled, “ An Act for constructing a 
“ bridge across Sutton Wash, otherwise Cross Keys 
u Wash, between the counties of Lincoln and Norfolk,” 
which received the royal assent on 26th May 1826.J 


* Matthew Paris, page 82. Goderick lived about a.d. 1070. 

t See page 136. 

t The plan proposed by Mr. Kinderley, for bringing the Nene from 
Wisbech by a cut across Marshland, was intended to have commenced at 
Walpole St. Andrew’s, and thus to carry all the waters into the Ouse 
about Tilney Goole. See note, page 55. 

The compiler begs to acknowledge the kind attention of the Rev. R. E. 
Hankinson, the son of the worthy vicar, in investigating many ancient 
particulars in the two parishes of Walpole, particularly in regard to the 
manors, and afterwards permitting the fruits of his researches to be inserted 
in this work. 


634 


HISTORY OF 


TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S, 

In the hundred of Freebridge Marshland, is distant from 
Lynn, by the ferry, four miles, by the bridge, five miles 
and a half, from London one hundred, and from Wisbech 
ten miles. It lies to the westward of Lynn, bearing a 
little towards the north, and is bounded by the sea on the 
north and east. The eastern arm extends to the port ol 
Lynn, the northern to that of Wisbech. The number of 
statute acres is 7760a. 3r. 6p. ; of houses 285, and the 
population 1408. 

The soil is alluvial and rich, with a flat surface, and 
in parts handsomely covered with wood. Its antiquity 
is buried in the womb of time ; but the old barrier bank 
to the north bears the name of “ Roman,” and this place 
was well known as a town in the Saxon age. # By this 
bank the whole parish is nearly divided into two equal 
parts. Eight hundred acres were reclaimed from the sea 
about thirty years ago, and are now called the Common 
Marsh. Several hundred acres have been since embanked 
by the late admiral Bentinck. The act which has passed 
the legislature in this sessions,f for improving the outfall 
of the river Nene, will divert the Wisbech channel 
through the Guy’s Hospital estate, on the Lincolnshire 
side, whereby the whole estuary to the north, called 
the Cross Keys Wash, now dividing Norfolk from 
Lincolnshire, will hereafter be silted up. 

George Bentinck, esq. son of the late admiral of that 
name, and a descendant from the brother of the first 
duke of Portland, is the largest proprietor, although he 
has no place of residence here. The manor of Terrington 
belongs to him. This manor remained in the see of Ely 

* Parkyns, page 231. t See page 410. 


TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S. 


635 


until the death of Dr. Cox, in 1581, # when it came to 
the crown, and in 1696, was granted by king William to 
an ancestor of the present Mr. Bentinck. 

Sip William H. J. B. Folkes, baronet, has also a con¬ 
siderable estate here, but nothing more than good farm 
houses thereon. The manor of Howards is his property. 
Another manor called the Branches belongs to John 
M ing, esq. of Wisbech. 

Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, baronet, purchased an 
estate in this parish about the year 1810, fipon which 
he has built a handsome mansion, where he resides. 
The pleasure grounds are laid out with taste, and kept 
with remarkable neatness. 

About the same time, the Graffier Fagel, a Dutch 
emigrant,f afterwards ambassador from the king of the 
Netherlands to this country, purchased a house and 
lands, and made this place his residence. The agriculture 
of the country was improved by the scientific mode of 
management introduced by him from the north of 
England, and his little Dutch garden was the admira¬ 
tion of all who visited it. 

The right honourable lord William Cavendish Bentinck, 
brother to the present duke of Portland, is the pos¬ 
sessor of that property4 

Here also lives, in the seat of his ancestors, (a house 
of great antiquity, built in part of freestone,) Thomas 


4 See page 114. 

t He was hereditary secretary to the stadtholder: the term Graffier 
implies that dignity. 

t This respected nobleman is at this time about to take his departure for 
India, to enter on the high office of governor-general. 


636 


HISTORY OF 


Upwood, esq. lord of the manor of Lovels. Ilis venerable 
trees are an ornament to the country ; the care he takes 
of them, and the plantations he has made, will endear 
his name to the lovers of rural beauty, when he him¬ 
self shall have been long forgotten. 

The rectory is attached to the Margaret professorship 
of divinity at Cambridge, and is in the gift of that 
university, having been granted to it by king James I. 
Its present possessor is the right reverend Herbert, 
lord bishop of Peterborough. Seven acres of land, 
including the church yard, with a house and large 
barn, belong to the rectory. 

The vicarage is in the gift of the crown. It is 
mentioned in the taxation of pope Nicholas,* but the 
endowment is not to be found in the episcopal registry 
of Norwich : the records there of institutions, &c. 
as returned by the registrar to the special committee of 
the house of commons, beginning with the year 1299. 

The reverend Ambrose Goode, A. M. is the present 
incumbent. Attached to the vicarage are three roods 
of land, and in the parish of Terrington St. John’s, 
five acres, one rood and six perches, in Butterman Field, 
and two acres and eighteen perches, including the 
church yard, with a cottage thereon, in Church Field. 
There is also a customary payment of ten shillings and 
sixpence arising out of land, for a sermon in St. John’s 
church on new Midsummer day. 

The church is a noble Gothic structure of freestone, 
built in the form of a cross, highly ornamented, and of 
a cathedral like appearance, dedicated to St. Clement. 


* See page 246. 


TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S. 


637 


It is one hundred and sixty-six feet long, forty-six wide, 
in the transepts; has a nave and two aisles, and con¬ 
tains seventy windows. The side arches between the 
nave and the transepts are of singular beauty, and little 
less than forty feet high from the pavement. Those to¬ 
wards the east and west have not less beauty, and are 
almost as high. At the angles of them all are ornamen¬ 
ted projecting bases; from these was evidently intended 
to spring a lantern or dome, which, if ever, is not now, 
existing. The roof of the transept is a little higher 
than that of the church : seven arches divide the aisles 
from the nave, and a Gothic window towards the east 
surmounts the roof of the chancel. Time has destroyed 
the beautiful old figured roof made of oak, and a new 
one of fir, covered with lead, has this year been com¬ 
pleted at the sole expense of the inhabitants, which 
redounds much to their credit, for they have great reason 
to pride themselves on so beautiful an edifice. 

The interior of the church is strikingly light, airy, and 
elegant, and the number of windows contributes not a 
little to the pleasing appearance which the building 
presents to the eye of the beholder. 

The font is ancient, and is ascended by three steps ; the 
top thereof is carved in wood, with pannels opening. 
In the inside is represented, in painting, the Temptation 
of our Saviour, the Baptism by St. John, with our 
Saviour ascending from the water, and the Descent of 
the Holy Ghost. 

The altar is ascended by six steps, which, with the 
large window over the communion table, much to be 
admired, forms a noble perspective. 


638 


HISTORY OF 


In the chancel, on the north side, is a plain tablet 
of the date of 1814, recording that “ Near this spot are 
“ interred the earthly remains of William Bentinck, esq. 
“ vice-admiral of the blue. This simple monument is 
“ inscribed by Frances, his widow.” 


Within the rails of the altar is a monumental stone, 
with a line drawn down, 


In memory of John Albert 
Bentinck, captain in the navy, 
who died in 1775, set 29. 


Also Renira, his wife, 
who died in 1792, 
set 42. 


And three children, who died young. 


At the foot of the steps is a slab to John Tow r ers 
Allen, clerk, who died in 1787, set 43. Also several 
monumental stones to the family of Edwards, viz. 

On the north side of the chancel, a mural monument 
to Dorothy, wife of John Edwards, daughter of Thorogood 
Up wood, who died in 1721-22; and to the said John 
Edwards, who died in 1733. Also another mural monu¬ 
ment to Frances Edwards, who died in 1747. 


A slab to Catherine Edwards, daughter of Thomas 
Somersby, esq. who died in 1779, and to John Ed¬ 
wards, who died in 1797, also Catherine their daughter. 

There are several monuments to the Upwood family. 
Samuel Upwood who died in 1716, set 38, and Dorothy, 
his wife, in 1773, set 85. Also to Eliza, daughter 
of Thomas and Ann Upwood, who died in 1748, and 
two other daughters. 



TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S. 


639 


Samuel Upwood, gent, who died in 1777 ; Ann, wife 
of the reverend Thorogood Upwood, in 1787, and the 
said Thorogood Upwood, in 1794. 

The reverend Nalson Brathwaite, rector of Lynn St. 
Peter’s, who died in 1793. 

Also to Ann, wife of James Everard, esq. of Lynn, 
who died in 1809. 

Also to Elizabeth Ann and Henrietta Latus, daughters 
of James and Elizabeth Everard ; the former died in 1803, 
the latter in 1804. 

In the transept on the north side is the creed, written 
in the old black letter, and on the south the Lord’s 
prayer, both in excellent preservation, though done in 
the year 1635. On the north side is a vault for the 
family of Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, before mention¬ 
ed, and near thereto is a gravestone, with the arms of 
Barker, to the memory of Peter Barker, who died in 
1688. 

Under the transept is an ancient tomb stone, with 
a brass, bearing the date of 1528, to the memory of 
John Coraunt, and Joan, his wife. 

On a pillar is a marble tablet to commemorate John 
Ascham, esq. born at Boston, Lincolnshire, who died 
in 1675. 

A neat marble monument is affixed on the south 
wall, sacred to the memory of Rachel, the wife of the 
Rev. Ambrose Goode, A.M. vicar, who died 12th June 
1824, aged 54 years, “ truly lamented,—in the faith and 


640 


HISTORY OF 


u fear of the Lord, teaching her surviving family and 
“ friends, by an example of patient resignation and sweet 
“ composure, how to commend their spirits into the 
“ hands of a faithful Creator.” 

In the south aisle is a mural monument to Anderson 
Allen, junior, son of Anderson Allen, who died in 1764, 
aged 25; and also to the said Anderson Allen, and Jane, 
his wife; she died in 1779, and he in 1786. 

On the floor is a slab to Richard Pratt, who died in 
1669, and to James Pratt; and an old marble grave¬ 
stone, with a modern inscription, for Robert Wardale, 
esq. who died in 1700. In the middle of the nave, or 
body of the church, is a gravestone to the memory of 
Henry Pratt, besides several other defaced monumental 
stones. Thomas Dudley, descended from lord Dudley, 
who is said to have married a daughter of Robert 
Godard, esq. # was buried in this church ; the said Robert 
Godard is also here interred, who died in 1448. 

At the west end of the nave is an altar monument 
to the memory of John Henson, a former vicar, who died 
in 1711. Here also stands an immensely tall ladder of 
seventy staves. 

Directly opposite the north door of this beautiful church 
is that of a magnificent tower, at the distance of 
about three yards. The tower is a massive building of 
freestone, eighty feet high, and thirty-six feet square at 
the bottom, containing a ring of six bells. The walls 
terminate in battlements, springing from a rich freize, 
and at the angles were originally four large pinnacles. 


* Parkyns. See page 627 . 


TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S. 


641 


and four smaller ones between the former. On the 
battlements of the south aisle are shields carved with the 
arms of Godard, Denver, Rochford, the bishop of Ely, 
&c. all probably benefactors to the building. 

It is intended this year to replace the pinnacles by a 
private subscription. 

Adjoining to the chancel, at the north-east end, is the 
old school, built of freestone. Beneath it is a place 
called the dungeon, once perhaps a bishop’s prison. 

A new room for a school was built in 1818, by voluntary 
contribution ; it is established on the national plan, and 
is supported by an original bequest of Dr. Newcome, 
a former rector and professor, of £3. 65 . per annum, 
with some private subscriptions, and two-pence a week 
from every scholar. The parish also make the school¬ 
master their vestry clerk. 

\ 

The same learned professor likewise presented the parish 
with two handsome silver flagons for communion plate, 
and a library of books on divinity. Attached to the new 
school is a house, built at the sole expense of the right 
honourable lord William Cavendish Bentinck, for the 
purpose of a dispensary. In this the schoolmaster has 
the present privilege of residing. It is supposed that 
this is the first village dispensary in the kingdom. It 
was originally stocked with drugs by the benevolence 
of individuals, and the supply was kept up by a small 
charge upon the sick, who paid for their medicine. 
The sum however was not great, (about £ 8 . upon a 
population of 1400 people), and it is now defrayed by 
the parish. 


HISTORY OF 


The advantages are these: 

Regular attendance of the surgeon twice a week at the 
dispensary* 

The usual attendance at the houses besides. 

The best drugs in great plenty. 

No increase of expense to the parish beyond the price 
of drugs. 


The autumn of 1826 will long be remembered as one 
of great sickness; twenty or thirty people were seen at 
the dispensary at one time, and the drugs for the year 
ending at Lady-day 1827 came to £26. The funerals for 
the last thirteen years average thirty-three per annum. 
Thirty, however, have been called to their house of clay 
within the present year (just six months.) The parish 
is now healthy, but within the last few months has suf- 
ferred from a very awful visitation: the canine rabies 
raged, and filled the country with dread. Many animals 
were bitten and died. Four persons within this parish 
had to lament this terrible scourge; one, a lad of 
fourteen, was taken with hydrophobia six weeks after 
he had received the injury, and died within forty- 
eight hours. The scar on the hand enlarged and turned 
blue, convulsions came on, and seized upon the muscles 
of the breast, and increased in violence even by a 
current of air from the door, which the patient endea¬ 
voured to avoid by hiding himself behind the curtain; 
he complained of great thirst, and at the sight of water 
endeavoured greedily to swallow it, at length he died in 
agony. A woman bitten a few weeks ago suffered 
amputation of the thumb ; another woman, bitten at 
the same time, had the wounded part cut out. 


TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S. 


643 


There is a chapel dedicated to St. John, belonging 
to the church of St. Clement, which seems to have 
been built in 1423. Licence being granted to John 
Belling to build a chapel in the lordship of the bishop of 
Ely, at the cross called Peykes Cross ; it now remains 
a chapel to the said church, for the service of the pa¬ 
rishioners, about three miles from the mother church 
nearer to Wisbech, from which it is free, and is said to 
have been made so by Thomas, archbishop of Canter¬ 
bury, in 1530; but no institution to it is found as a 
parochial church. It is a regular pile, with a nave, two 
aisles, and a chancel covered with lead, a square stone 
tower with four pinnacles and four bells. A free chapel, 
dedicated to St. James, is also said to have once existed 
here, but dissolved in the time of Edward VI.; the 
site, however, is not now even known. 

Walter Tyrington, LL.D. a celebrated writer and 
author, and John Colton, the first master of Gonvile 
hall or Caius college, in Cambridge, who was preferred 
to the primacy of Ireland by king Henry IV., about 
1404, and made archbishop of Armagh, were both born 
in this town. 

In Nicholls’ account of the Spalding society, there 
is mention made of one William Burwell, brought up 
as a common labourer, afterwards servant to Mr. Lynn, 
of Spalding, and who, without any instruction, made a 
pack of cards, and drew pictures, and was afterwards 
advanced to Terrington school.* 


* Account of the Spalding society, page 16. 


644 


HISTORY OF 


The common called the Smeeth, belonging to Terring- 
ton, Tilney, Clenchwarton, Walpole, West Walton, 
Walsoken, and Emneth, was heretofore famous for 
feeding cattle, whereon 30,000 or more large Marsh¬ 
land sheep, and the great cattle of the above seven towns, 
were said continually to feed—a piece of land so fruit¬ 
ful (as was repeated by a courtier to king James I. at his 
first coming to the crown,) “ that if over night a wand 
“ or rod was laid on the ground, by the morning it 
e ‘ would be covered with grass of that night’s growth, 
“ so as not be discerned to which that king is said to 
have replied in a jocose manner, “ that he knew some 
“ grounds in Scotland, where, if a horse was put in over 
“ night, they could not see him or discern him in the 
morning.”* This common was inclosed by virtue of an 
act of Parliament passed in the 36th year of his late 
majesty George III. (1796.) 

The following Rectors appear on record : 

1608 Simon Wells, S.T.P. 

1609 Richard Hunt, S.T.P. prebend of Canterbury and dean 

of Durham, 

1638 Samuel Ward, S.T.P. the first who enjoyed it after 
James I. granted it to the university of Cambridge, to 
be annexed to the Margaret professorship of Cambridge. 
He was master of Sidney college, Cambridge. 

1660 John Pearson, afterwards bishop of Chester. 

1673 Ralph Widdington, S.T.P. 

1670 Humphrey Gower, S.T.P. master of Jesus, afterwards 
of St. John’s college, Cambridge, and prebend of Ely. 


* Blomefield's History of Norfolk. 


TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S. 


645 


A.D. 

1711 Robert Jenkins, S.T.P. master of St. John’s college, 
Cambridge, 

1727 Thomas Lambert, D.D. 

1735 JohnNewcome, D.D. dean of Peterborough, 

-- Mainwaring, 

1807 Herbert Marsh, D.D. lord bishop of Peterborough. 

Vicars. 

1603 Richard Hunt, S.T.P. 1740 

(also rector) 

1638 Thomas Drayton, 1767 

- Michael Beresford, 1801 

1661 John Henson, 1803 

1711 Henry Swetenham, 

We trust we shall be excused if, in our conclusion of 
the account of this village, we mention in a more par¬ 
ticular manner the name of a gentleman not less vene¬ 
rable for his virtue than his age; for here, retired from 
public life, lives Sir Andrew Snape Hamond,bart. F.R.S.* 
and an elder brother of the Trinity House. He was 
born at Blackheath in the same year with his late revered 
majesty George III., and is now in his 89th year. He 
was descended from highly honourable and respectable 
parents; his father, a merchant and considerable ship- 
holder in London, and his mother, Susannah, a lady of 
remarkable strength of mind, sole heiress of Robert 
Snape, esq. of Limekilns, near Blackheath, brother of 
Dr. Andrew Snape, one of the queen’s chaplains, and 
provost of King’s college, Cambridge. Though thus 

* See page 635. 

2 s 2 


Henry Robinson, 

-Wade, 

-Gascoigne, 

William Walker, 
Ambrose Goode. 


i 






646 


HISTORY OF 


respectably connected, the laurels with which he is 
crowned are of his own gathering. Mild, ardent, brave, 
humane, quick in observation, and of tenacious memory, 
graceful in person, and of insinuating address, he pos¬ 
sessed the materiel of a gentleman, a hero, and a 
statesman. His natural endowments were improved by 
cultivation, and he has shone through life in all the offices 
and appointments which his merit acquired, and the 
notice of a gracious and discerning sovereign conferred. 

\ * 

He was a lieutenant on board his majesty’s ship 
Magnanime, in the action of Hawke and Conflans, 20th 
.November 1759, and was promoted to the rank of post¬ 
captain 7th December 1770. During the greater part 
of the American war, he commanded the Roebuck of 
44 guns, and was constantly employed in the most arduous 
services against the enemy. In 1778, his majesty honoured 
him with knighthood; in 1780, at a very critical moment, 
he arrived in England with dispatches from vice-admiral 
Arbuthnot, detailing the capture of Charlestown, with 
the shipping and stores in that harbour. His character, 
as shortly described by the vice-admiral almost fifty 
years ago, has suffered no tarnish from the hand of time. 
“The conduct of Sir Andrew Hamond of the Roebuck 
“ deserves particular mention : whether in the great line 
“ of service, or in the detail of duty, he has been ever 
“ ready, forward, and animated.” 

Soon afterwards he was appointed lieutenant-governor 
of the province of Nova Scotia, and a commissioner of 
the navy at Halifax ; situations which exhibited his in¬ 
tegrity as a man and his humanity as a governor. 


TERRINGTON ST. CLEMENT’S. 


£47 


At the peace in 1783 fresh honours awaited him: the 
king created him a baronet. From 1785 to 1788 he 
held the appointments of commodore and commander- 
in-chief in the river Medway ; in 1793, he became deputy 
comptroller of the navy, and in 1794, oil the death of 
Sir Henry Martin, he succeeded to the responsibilities 
of that office as principal, and presided over it with 
equal honour to himself and benefit to his country, for 
twelve years, a period of history rendered frightful by 
audacity, spoliation, and crime, the ravages of which, 
under God, were stopped only at that time by the wise 
councils, the stupendous machinery, nautical skill, and 
undaunted bravery of Britons on their native element, 
the sea. 

Durinor the time he held this office, he was twice elected 
member for Ipswich: he resigned on the death of Mr. 
Pitt, and in 1809, purchased in this parish an estate, on 
which he now resides, with faculties unimpaired, an 
object of veneration to his family, the delight of his 
friends, and an ornament to his country. He married 
8th March 1779 Anne, only daughter and heiress of 
Henry Grrnme, of Hanwell Heath, in the county of 
Middlesex, a major in the army, who was shot through 
the body at the battle of Minden, and died at Saint 
Helena in 1786, of which island he was then lieutenant- 
governor. 

The grandfather of major Grceme removed the head 
of his kinsman James, the first marquis of Montrose, 
from the tolbooth of Edinburgh in May 1661, where it 
had been placed by command of the Scotch parliament 
May 21st 1650, after the beheading and quartering of 
his body, and in consequence of this he took his crest. 


648 


CONCLUSION. 


1. Sir Andrew has issue, Graham Eden, rear admiral 
of the blue, a companion of the military order of the bath, 
and a deputy lieutenant of the county of Norfolk and 
of the Isle of Wight. 

2. Caroline, relict of the honourable Francis Wheler 

Hood, (eldest son of Henry viscount Hood) lieutenant 

colonel of the third regiment of guards, who was 

killed at Orthes in France, in 1814, in the arms of 

victory, animating his troops, and nobly sustaining the 

honour and interest of his country.* 

*/ 

CONCLUSION. 

Having now redeemed our pledge, however imperfectly, 
of describing the towns in the vicinity of Wisbech, we 
are about to take leave of our readers, and in conclusion, 
observe, that in the kingdom at large a greater change 
has perhaps taken place in its state and condition within 
the last forty or fifty years, than during the whole of 
any former century. 


* Many acknowledgments are due from the compiler to the worthy vicar 
of Terrington, for his kindness in furnishing the principal part of the 
information relative to his parish, as well as for the biographical sketch of 
the venerable baronet. Several institutions, tending to the comfort of the 
industrious poor of this parish, have their origin in the vicar’s solicitude to 
ameliorate their condition. His object is to inculcate habits of industry, 
by allotting a small portion of common to be managed by themselves for their 
own benefit. Every one must acknowledge that the practice of having the 
wages of labour made up out of the poor rates is most impolitic and mis¬ 
chievous, discouraging that good moral feeling which arises from a man’s 
own sense of his resources. “ An honest peasantry is their country’s 
“ pride. lhe great secret in assisting the poor is to make them agents 
in assisting themselves, just as it is a greater favour to teach a man the 
use of.his own limbs, than to support or carry him. 


CONCLUSION. 


649 


Vv r e witness how communication by land and water is 
every where facilitated, whereby intelligence circulates 
rapidly from the metropolis to the most remote quarters 
of the empire. Coaches and carriages are established 
in every direction, which proceed with celerity, # con¬ 
venience and good regulation, so as to render every part 
of the kingdom accessible to its great population, 
without excessive expense or waste of time. Steam 
boats, those incomparable engines of modern invention,^ 
cover our navigable rivers, and penetrate to the wilds 
of the western islands of Scotland, carrying every day 
the inhabitants of our cities into what were twenty 
years ago the most solitary spots of Europe. These 
engines have been aptly described as giving to the 

* The mail coaches in England, it is said, run over 12,000 miles in a 
single night, and a newspaper published in the morning in London, is by 
the same night received 120 miles off, and a traveller going at night from 
London sleeps the second night 400 miles off. In the year 1672, when 
throughout Great Britain only six stage coaches were constantly going, a 
pamphlet was written by John Cressett, of the Charter House, for their 
suppression, and among the many grave reasons given against their con¬ 
tinuance is the following : “ Those stage coaches make gentlemen come to 
“ London on every small occasion, which otherwise they would not do, but 
“ upon urgent necessity. Nay, the convenience of the passage makes their 
“ wives often come up, who, rather than come such long journies on horse- 
« back, would stay at home. Here, when they have come to town, they 
“ must presently be in the mode, get fine clothes, go to plays and treats, 
“ and by these means get such a habit of idleness and love of pleasure, that 
“ they are uneasy ever after.” 

Twenty-five millions of newspapers were said to be published in 1826, 
in England and Wales, and upwards of one million and two hundred thou¬ 
sand in Scotland. 

t The first invention was by the marquis of Worcester in 1663; important 
improvements were made by Mr. Newcomen in 1/03, which led to the still 
more important and beautiful invention of Watt in 1769. 


J 


650 


CONCLUSION. 


fickleness of the winds and the faithlessness of the waves 
all the certainty of a journey by land. In fact, t|ie 
whole people of this island may be said to be actuated 
by, and under the influence of, one common spirit of 
enterprize. Wisbech, which may be called the capital 
of the fens, has not only partaken of, but has encouraged, 
this general activity and exertion, for, as may have 
been remarked within the period above mentioned, the 
town has doubled itself in size; the population and 
buildings are increased, and its pavements, as well as 
the roads which approach it in all directions, are in 
superior condition; and the neighbouring country 
following the example in industry, and by improved 
methods in the cultivation of the soil, participates in 
its affluence, giving life and energy to the whole 
vicinity. 

When we contrast its former state with the present, 
we cannot help admiring the enterprising spirit which has 
in latter times been the distinguishing characteristic 
of the inhabitants of this district, and the cause of its 
present prosperity. Until within these few years, 
every person living in a distant county, especially a 
southern one, fancied the whole of this district a marsh 
or fen, and the climate to be so incessantly damp, foggy, 
and insalubrious, and the roads so miry and impassable 
throughout the year, that great pecuniary advantages 
have been frequently sacrificed to these prejudices. This 
unfavourable impression is now very much softened down, 
if not removed. The facility of communication that 
exists from one part of the kingdom to another has its 
due influence here. People from a distance become 





CONCLUSION. 


65 1 


1 ami liar with the town, and are struck with its lively 
and bustling appearance, its general cleanliness, and 
the ussiduous industry that pervades the inhabitants, 
all which give an interest to the place. Through the 
very great improvements which have been effected in 
the drainage, as well as in the general cultivation and 
roads of the country, not only the face, but the climate 
thereof, is become greatly altered for the better; wealthy 
proprietors now settle on their estates, and the clergy 
on their benefices, without much dread of having the 
enjoyment of their lives shortened by such residence. 
And as, through the richness of the soil, the cultivators 
procure more ample profits than reward the farmers in 
the upland country, full compensation is returned to 
them for their pains. All these blessings may be attri¬ 
buted in some measure to the genius of the present 
age. It has been so fertile in improvements upon the 
knowledge of our ancestors, as well as indefatigable in 
executing large projects, which to them appeared scarcely 
attainable, that by means thereof the necessary comforts 
of life are more widely and abundantly diffused, and the 
general state of society has become very considerably 
ameliorated. But this amelioration has been principally 
produced by the introduction of an improved method 
of education, and by the opportunity afforded the poorer 
classes, through liberal benefactors, of obtaining the means 
of solid and important instruction, such as may enable 
them efficiently to discharge the duties of their stations 
as members of society, and at the same time qualify 
them, through the Divine mercy, for a nobler sphere of 
life and action. It is perceptible that a great moral 
change has taken place, and to what other source can it 
be attributed, than a dissemination of the blessings of 


652 


CONCLUSION. 


I 


the Gospel among all ranks ? To its influence upon 
the lives and characters of men, we owe this striking 
improvement, and whilst it has given encouragement to 
uprightness and industry, it has at the same time 
allayed the thirst for intemperance, cruelty, and oppres¬ 
sion. The gospel, wherever it prevails, will inculcate 
feelings of charity and “ good will towards men,” for 
the sake of him “ who gave his life a ransom for many,” 
and who has directed his followers to “ love one another, 
“ for the sake of Him who redeemed them.” At no period 
in the history of our country has such a good feeling 
more generally prevailed than at present, among all 
classes of society. May its powerful influence be con¬ 
tinued, and may the merit thereof be ascribed to him 
“ whose we are, and whom we serve!” 

Wisbech, as has been seen, abounds in charitable and 
humane institutions, both of ancient and modern date ; 
indeed, when any philanthropic plans of benevolence 
or utility have been proposed, they have always met 
with corresponding attention and liberality, and the 
purses of the respectable inhabitants are open at all 
times to the calls of charity and patriotism. 

We have been contemplating the former and present 
state of this country, and before we take leave, let us 
glance for a few moments on what remains yet to be 
accomplished in the further improvement of drainage and 
navigation. The Nene outfall act was passed in this 
session of parliament,* and resolutions have been 
already entered into for carrying its provisions into 


* See page 410. 


4 


CONCLUSION. 


653 


immediate execution. The important objects contem¬ 
plated are the improvement of the outfall of the Nene 
waters, the draining of the North Level, South Holland, 
Wisbech Hundred, and several adjoining districts, 
containing upwards of one hundred thousand acres of 
land, and to reclaim from the sea, and bring into 
cultivation, several thousand acres of land, which will 
be effected by the diverting of the course of the waters 
which now flow over the loose and shifting sands 
through the estuary of Sutton Wash to the sea, into a 
new confined channel * of about seven miles in length, 
from Kinderley’s Cut to Crab Hole at deep water. 

Thus we see how much has been already effected by 
the industry and exertions of the inhabitants, and we 
are also aware of other improvements which will be 
required to a very great extent, and we doubt not but 
the inhabitants of Wisbech and its neighbourhood, who 
are sensibly alive to their real interests, will cordially 
unite in a temperate manner to put in execution any 
further judicious plans, considered to be for the general 
benefit of the navigation and drainage; for, in order to 
reap the full advantage of those works already com¬ 
menced, it will become necessary, for the better purposes 
of navigation and drainage, to alter the course of the 
waters from Kinderley’s Cut upwards, by making a 
more direct channel from thence to the town, a further 
distance of six miles, besides the removal of impedi¬ 
ments now existing in the passage of the waters through 
the town. To burden the trade or the land too grievously 
would be indiscreet, but every inhabitant of the place 


* See page 631. 


654 


CONCLUSION. 


would rejoice in lending his aid to the accomplishment 
of any works within a reasonable compass, deemed 
necessary for the general advancement of the trade, 
and facility of drainage. There is a medium whereby 
much good may be accomplished through means, as it 
may be said, within our reach, and thereby add to the 
increasing prosperity of the town; but w T e should be 
cautious in being led away by overwhelming schemes, 
attainable only at an enormous and intolerable expense. 
The navigation should be fully adequate to receive the 
imports and convey away the exports, but the country, 
once supplied, can require no more. What is beyond its 
w r ants must produce an excess, and with the best 
navigation more business cannot be done than the country 
around demands. It therefore behoves the inhabitants 
to be cautious and prudent. Posterity have a claim 
upon us not to tax them unmercifully. We are trustees 
as it were for their interests, and though we may not 
live to witness any evil results, yet to them we owe a 
duty not to cast unnecessary burdens upon them through 
our speculations. Many of us are declining in years, 
and few among us may live to witness the effects of all 
the proposed alterations, which must entirely change the 
face and appearance of the whole of this district. 

Notwithstanding some disadvantages, Wisbech still 
prospers and increases in importance, and “ our hearts* 
“ desire ” is, that it may long, very long, continue to 
be conspicuous, not only for loyalty and honourable 
principles, but for stability of trade and commerce, and 
preserve unsullied that character, as w r ell as maintain 
that independence, for which it has been hitherto 


CONCLUSION. 


distinguished, and we here take a final leave of our 
readers, by breathing and entreating a prayer for the con¬ 
tinued welfare, happiness, and never-ceasing prosperity 
of this highly favoured town. 

May the compiler be permitted to add one word 
respecting himself ? In the work which is now before 
the public, he lays no claim to the praise of authorship, 
originality, or eloquence ; he has had little regard to 
celebrity, and none to emolument: accuracy of statement 
he has endeavoured to attain, and nothing more. He 
might perhaps truly say that the compilation in its earlier 
details cost him some research, but then it has been the 
pleasing employment of that leisure with which provi¬ 
dence has been pleased to bless him. His only regret is, 
that it is not more worthy of the distinguished patronage 
and support, with which some noble and many amiable 
and most respectable characters have encouraged the 
publication. Neither his studies nor his abilities qualify 
him to undertake the instruction, and better the con¬ 
dition of his countrymen, to throw light upon the many 
invaluable institutions which have made Great Britain 
the admiration and despair of the world, or to illus¬ 
trate the glorious theme of that faith and piety which 
have exalted her among the nations, and rendered her 
a beacon light to tribes and people that yet sit in 
darkness and the shadow of death. Still what ap¬ 
peared to be in some measure within his reach, that 
he has cheerfully attempted, and if his labours tend but 
to amuse an idle hour, and still more, if they contribute 
to preserve the memory of events which have left 
sensible traces behind them, of improvements, the ad¬ 
vantages of which are still enjoyed, and of names, 


656 


CONCLUSION. 


which, however worthy of notice, would otherwise sooner 
sink into oblivion, his aim and object are accomplished ; 
and in the approach of that hour which will gather him 
to his fathers, he may allowably comfort himself, as 
with the higher and nobler consolations, so with the 
grateful thought, that he has done what he could, 
and that time and opportunities have not been bestowed 
upon him entirely in vain. 


V 


APPENDIX. 


657 


APPENDIX. 


The following is the will referred to in page 193, 
as affording a picture of the superstition of the times : 


WILL OF ROBERT SMITH. 

10th March, In Dei Nomine, Amen. Decimo Die 
1520. Mens Mar Anno Dni milessimo 
quingentesimo vicesimo. I Robert Smith, of Wysebeche, 
being of whole mind, with a good avysmt and remem¬ 
brance, make my testamt and last will in ys manner 
and form followng: firste, I comende my sowle ovr to 
Almightie God, to our blessyd lady, Saynt Mary, and 
to all the holy copenye of hevyn, and my bodye to be 
beryd wth in ye chapel of our blessed Lady, in the 
chyrche of St. Peter, in Wysebech, as nye as it can 
be buryed before the imadge of our blessed Lady, in the 
church of AVysebeche afsd. Itm. I bequeth for my 
mortuary, my best beeste. And I give and beqr to the hey 
ault (high altar) of the sd churche for my tythes and 
offerings neglygently forgotten 20s. Itm. I gyve and 
beq to the building of the steeple of the said church 
of Wysebeche <£20.—£ 5. the begynning of the building 
of the sd steeple, and within half a year next after that 
other £5, and £10. within half a year next aft, so 
that the hole £ 20. be paid within a yere, when the said 
steeple is beganne to be made or budded with the 
first money. 



APPENDIX. 



Itm. I gyfF and bequeth to the aldman and brethren 
of the gyld of the holy blessyd trinity in the said church, 
dedicated and hallowed in the honor of St. Peter, for 
ye entire love, devotion, laud, and honore which I have 
and bear towds the blessed Virgyn Mary, and the mainte¬ 
nance and upholdyng of divine service, our Lady mass, 
and other prayers, which I desyre and wyll the said 
alderman and his brethren to mayntayne in the chapell 
of our blessyd Lady, within the sd church of St. Peter, 
9a. of fre land in West Walton, 7a. of land fre and 
copy in Dyxon Field, 2|a. of fre land in New Field, 
in Walton, 24a. of fre land in Pygges Drove, in Lever- 
ington, 11a. in Leverington, 7a. in Leverington, 5a. of 
fen land in Wisbech, 6a. in Fenland Drove, 7a. in New¬ 
bridge Drove, and If a. in Wisbech. 

Itm. I gyfF and beq to the alderman and brethren of 
the said gylde of Wysebeche for my perpetual obitt, to be 
kepte yrly in the said chapel of our blessed Lady, two 
messes lying together in the New Mkytte of Wysbech, 
and 12a. of land fre and copy, and a tenement. Itm. I 
gyfF to the alderman and brethren of the said gyld the 
tenement on the Castell Dyke. Itm. I gyfF and 
beq to the aldermen and brethren of the said gylde 
of the blessyd trinitye in Wysbeche afsd, my five 
messuages on the Castell Dyke, late Edmund Buck- 
worth’s, wherein said Edmund now’ dwells; and the 
aldermen and brethren of the sd gyld to sell the said 
messuages to the best profytt of the gyld, and the money 
wrof coming to be bestowed in buying of land when 
it may be conveniently boughte or purchased. 

Provided always yfF the sd Edmund will pay £40. 
within three yeres after my dethe, he to have the said 
messes.—All these my messes and lands I gyfFe to the 
aldermen and brethren of the sd gylde of the holy 
trynitye in Wisbech under this condition : 

Frst. I wyll that the alderman and his brethren shall 
every yere kepe myne obytt in the chapel of our blessed 
Lady, the day of my anniversary, with seven priests 
and five clerks, gyving to the vicar or his parish priest 
8 d., to the schoolmaster 8 cL, and the three brotherhood 
priests yche of them 6d. and two other prsts yche of 
them 4 d., and the trynitye clerk 4 d, y and yche of the five 


APPENDIX. 


659 


clerks 2d., and to 30 chyldern and 40 poor men yche of 
them lri.; and these afsd psons to be psent at my obytt, 
and to syng by note placebo and dirige : and in the 
mornyng next they, betwixt 9 and 10 of the cloke, to syng 
masse of requiem, with the collect, begynning with “Deus 
“ cuiq summa spes nre redemptcois,” with the secret and 
post communion of the same, praying for my soule and the 
soules of John and Agnes, my father and mother, and all 
my ancestors soules, and all crystn soules : also I will that 
the sexton have 2d. and the 2 clerks for ringing 12 d ; and 
at the said mass I wyll that the alderman or his deputye, 
with the treasurers and two of his brethren, shall offyr at 
the said mass, the alderman to offyr 2d. and to have for 
his labor 4 d. and every of his 4 brethren to offyr a penny, 
and to have for his labor 2d. 


Itm. I wyll that myne executors shall require the 
alderman and brethern of the sd gyld, shall fynd the 
scholmaster or com preeste of the brethern, the wych three 
time in the week shall take a special collect in his mass, 
called Deus cui summa Spes nre redemptcois, remember¬ 
ing the soulis of me the said Robt and my friends before 
specyfyed, with the secrett and postcommuin of the said 
collect. Itm. I will that the said scholemr or his chyl- 
dren shall daily, when the schole is kept, sey bothe 
mornyng and evening this anthem : Liba nos, salva nos, 
o beata trinitas, sit nomen dni benedictum, and the 
respond, with collect, onmipotens sempiterne deus dedisti 
nobis, &c. De profundis, with the prayers for the soulis 
above rehearsed ; and the sd scholemaster to have over 
and above his stipend yerely for his dyligence, in perform¬ 
ing the sd premises 65 . Sd. to be paid by the alderman 
and brethren, and if they refuse the performation of my 
will, then my executors shall sell my sd lands, and with 
the moneye to find the scholemr or a priest to sing for me 
and my friends in the sd church of St. Peter, in Wysebech 
afsd, and to fynd the sd yerely obytt with the sd money, 
to be spent in such charitable uses. 


Furthermore, I wyll ytt yff the alderman and his 
brethren be content to pform the sd conditns, then indres 
to be drawn under learned counsell for suiety of the 
same, wherein they shall be bound in manner and form 
as the churchwardens of the sd church be bound to 
performation. 

r 2 T 


660 


APPENDIX. 


CHAPEL OF EASE. 

The situation of the piece of ground first intended 
for the erection of the chapel of ease being disapproved 
of by a majority of the subscribers, the same was aban¬ 
doned, and a new site in the Old Market-place fixed 
upon, by purchasing certain buildings and ground there 
for such purpose ; and the act having received the royal 
assent on the 14th July, the subscribers were anxious to 
proceed with the work without loss of time. Public 
meetings were called to consider of an eligible plan, and 
after mature consideration, that of an octagon shape 
was preferred, and a plan thereof, and of the pews and 
sittings therein, and of the vaults and cemeteries, being 
approved by the lord bishop, the same was unanimously 
adopted, and on Monday the 6th of August following, 
the first stone of this chapel was laid by the reverend 
Thomas Pattison Holmes, B.A. as the nephew and re¬ 
presentative of Dr. Jobson, the venerable vicar, then 
unhappily confined to his house by indisposition and 
infirmity, who, by his munificent endowment and sub¬ 
scription,* may well be called the founder of the chapel; 
the other members of the building committee were also 
present, and assisted at the ceremony. The reverend 
Mr. Holmes, on laying the stone, offered up in few words 
an appropriate prayer, invoking the favour of Heaven on 
the undertaking, and calling upon Almighty God, for 
the sake of his son Jesus Christ our Lord, to prosper it 
with his especial blessing; to which, one of the members 
of the building committee added a short invocation, that 
the Lord would favourably approve of setting apart that 
place for the performance of religious worship, and that 
he would bless it with such success as might tend most 
to his glory, and the furtherance of the happiness of his 
people, both spiritual and temporal. The building is 
designed to accommodate one thousand persons, of which 
three hundred seats are to be gratuitous for the poor. 
The height, from the foundation to the top of the pin¬ 
nacle on the lantern, is intended to be eighty-eight feet; 
the length, from the entrance of the porch to the com¬ 
munion table, one hundred and two feet, and the interior 
diameter of the octagon, diagonally, about sixty feet. 


* See page 255* 



Melville, sc. 


wzsmmcm sjeajpbjl ©a* ieaiie 


This Ingravina is Inscribed- to the l£X / . ti AJobson..DiD. Hear' qf Wisbech/. 

with sentiments of hiahIsteeni.Tv his attached--Friend- WTWatsons. 


h'uMdho i ly .Kic J.I& e h Wisbech. 7SZ7. 






































































































APPENDIX. 


661 


Some new subscribers have added their names, and others 
have increased their former subscriptions, as under: 


Shares. Amount. 



Original Subscriptions* 

126 

£ 6300 

The iiev. J. H. Sparke, rector of Leverington 

2 

100 

Dr. Sandiford, rector of Newton .. 

2 

100 

W. G. iownley, 2d subscription.. 

2 

100 

William Watson, ... 


3 

150 

H. J. Nicholls, esq. 


3 

150 

William Orton, esq. 


3 

150 

It. P. Date,. 


1 

50 

James Usill, ... 


1 

50 

Abraham Usill, ..., 


1 

50 

John Pope,. 


1 

50 

Robert Gaye, ..... 


1 

50 

Henry Morton 


1 

50 

Richard Baxter, ..., 


1 

50 

ISteed Girdlestone, . 


1 

50 

John Wing,. 


1 

50 


150 £ 7500 


It is stated in page 218 of this work, that the charter 
of king Charles II. would appear in the appendix; but 
as an abstract of the original one of king Edward VI. 
is already introduced,f and through the liberality of the 
corporate body, several hundred copies of king Charles 
lid’s confirmatory charter have been printed and very 
generally distributed amongst the inhabitants of the town, 
who are the principal parties interested, so that every 
individual desirous of a copy had the opportunity of pos¬ 
sessing one, it is thought unnecessary to swell out this 
volume by the introduction of such last-mentioned charter 
and translation at length here. 


* See page 257. 


t See page 174. 


t 













































' ■ ' ■ . 


















• 













• • • • • « • » 


« 




. , . ^ • 


/ f 







• 

.. .■ 


































, 

- 

V- 
























































INDEX TO NAMES OF PERSONS. 


A'BBO Floriacensis, 5 
Abbott John, 257 

-Mr. Justice, 400 

Adam W. G., 71, 84 
Adams Thomas, 501, 509 
Adeane General, 527 
Adkins Sir Robert, 542 
Adrian IV., 489, 589 
Agricola, 2 
Aikin, 128 
Ail win, 116, 602 
Alcock, Bishop, 127, 532 
Aldham Daniel, 614 

-* John Coker, 614 

Alington Rev. Marmaduke, 608 
Allen Anderson, 640 
- Mr., 616 

- Rev. John Towers, 638 

Allenby, 536 
Alwena, 573 
Ancaster, Duke of, 540 
Andrews, Bishop of Ely, 128 

■-- Rev. Roger, 498 

Anderson Sir Richard, 524 


Angerstein John Julius, 84 
Anna, Queen of the East Angles, 88 
Anthony Thomas, 43 

-James, 447 

-Saint, 85, 533 

Antoninus Pius, 112 
Arbuthnot, Vice-admiral, 646 
Arcadius, 508 
Arden John, 313 
Arundel, Earl of, 43 
Ascliam John, 639 

Ashton- 544 

Atheling Edgar, 94 
Athelstan, 120, 152 
Atkin Mrs., 536 

Atkins Richard, of Outwell, 9, 25 

-191, 430 

Audley Thomas, 262, 544, 545 

-Sir John, 623 

Audrey, see Etheldreda, 88 
Augustine, 88, 234 
Aveling Thomas, 448 
Aylestone Rev. John, 467,470 
Ayloffe Sir William, 43 













664 


INDEX 


Bachelor Rev. Paul, 608 
Bacon Mr., 545 

Badeslade, 22, 24, 26, 28, 42, 60, 61 
Bagge Francis, 110 
Balam Charles, 37, 607 

-William, 446 

-Alexander, 38,158, 161, 504 

-Robert, 179, 446, 447, 502, 607 

Baldwin Rev. Mr., 611 
Ball George, 593 
Balsham, Bishop, 257, 584- 
Banks Sir Edward, 59 
Banyer Robert, 512 
Barclays and Co., 350 
Baretti, 357 
Barker Thomas, 153 

-Peter, 639 

Barkliam Sir Robert, 619 
Barley Daniel, 476 

-- Ann, 587 

-Johnson, 593 

Barlow Benjamin, 107 
Barrow Thomas, 603 
Barry Thomas, 548 
Bateley, 149 
Batman Matthew, 549 
Baxter Richard, 256, 661 

•-Robert, 256 

-John, 326 

Bayley Rev. George, B.D., 468 
Beale Rev. William, 569 
Beales William, 257 
Bean Thomas, 614 

-William, 614 

Beaumont Joseph, 493 

Beaupre Edmund, 34, 523, 542, 546 

- Christian de, 537 

Bede, 234 

Bedford, Francis, Earl of, 43, 44, 46, 
47, 561,573 

-William, Earl of, 46, 47, 53 

-Duke of, 63, 65, 73, 77, 79, 83, 


Bell Sir John, 44 

-Beaupre, 112, 436, 508, 533,539, 

540, 541 

-Sir Robert, 523,539, 540 

-Philip, 525 

-Sinolplius, 544 

-Dr. 592 

-William, 257, 370 

Bellamy James, 106, 417, 611 

- John, 161, 643 

-Rev. John, vicar, 263 

-Rebecca, 331 

-- Mrs., 256 

-Jane, 326 

Belman William, 161 
Bend John, 457, 477 
Benedict, Saint, 86, 531 

-Pope, 90 

Bentham, 89, 97, 98, 103, 456 
Bentinck Lord William Cavendish, 69* 
73, 75, 77, 635, 641 

-Admiral, 634, 638 

-George, 634 

-John Albert, 638 

-Renira, 638 

Beresford Rev. Michael, 645 
Bernard Rev. Howard, 628 
Berrier Thomas, 266 
Best Richard, 193, 194 
—— Robert, 193 
Bevill Sir John, 44 

- Sir Robert, 45, 61 

Bigott Roger, Earl of Norfolk, 269 
Blackborn, 503 

Bligh Robert, Abbot of Thorney, 566 
Blomefield, 190 

- Wm, 36, 381,386, 627, 630 

Blower Thomas, 153 
Boadicea, 4 
Boleyn Anne, 365, 522 
Bolingbroke, Earl of, 44 
Bonner, Bishop, 128 
Boon Charles, 627 


376,560 

































INDEX 


665 


Boss John, 549 
Bosse John, 109 
Botolpli, Saint, 559 
Boucher Charles, 256 
Boughton Sir Theodosius, 513 
Bourgchier, Bishop, 109 
Bower Mr. 69 
Bowes Percival, 545 
Bowker Thomas, 107 
Bowler Richard, 468 
Boyce John, 512 
- 536 

Bradenham Andrew, 535 
Bradshaw James, 528 
Brady Dr., 120,135, 224, 225 
Bramstone Thomas de, 130 

-- or Braunstone, 258 

Braithwaite Rev.Nalson, 639 
Bray Dr., 343 
Breakspear Nicholas, 489 
Bridgman John, 632 
Brigstock Robert, 492 
Brithnoth, Duke, 92 
Brown Dr., 356 

-Captain Samuel, R.N., 552, 553 

-Rev. William, 625 

Brownlow, Lord, 572 
Brudenell Robert, 447 
Brus Robert, 126 
Brytlinod, Abbot, 91, 93, 586 
Buckingham, Duke of, 101 
Buckworth Edward, 218, 223, 658 

-Anthony, 446 

-Everard, 452, 603 

-Theophilus, 452 

--Thomas, 313 

Bull Dr. vicar, 252 
Buonaparte, 392, 394 
Burgess John, 256 

- Thomas, 448 

Burroughs Dr. vicar, 262, 320, 437 
Burrough Sir James, 282 
-Mr. Justice, 400 


Burton Edmund, 476 

Burwell William, 643 

Butts Rev. Dr. Bishop of Ely, 262 

Butler William, 323 

—--544 

-Robert, 621, 622, 623,630 

Calverley Rev. Samuel, 535 

Cambridge Rev. G. O. archdeacon, 499 

Camden, 5, 111, 124, 514 

Cannock Rev. John, 628 

Canute, King, 93, 572 

Canterbury, Thomas, Archbishop of, 643 

Canyngston Rev. William, 628 

Caractacus, 3 

Carter Rev. George, 581 

Cartismandua, 3 

Cary Mr., 11 

Caryll John, 447, 575, 576 
Carysfort, Lord, 572, 584 
Caesar Julius, 2 
Catesby Robert, 128 
Cater Richard, 313 
Cave Anthony, 568 
Cecil David, 571 
Cethegus, the Consul, 17 
Chamberlin William, 257 
Chamberlain Rev. Robert, 628 
Chapman William, 12 

-William, 76, 81 

Charles I. 43, 44, 45, 102, 339, 380, 
384,513, 524, 529, 600 

-II. 47, 49, 50,59, 82,115,125, 

199, 224, 385, 525, 571, 586, 661 
Charlemagne, 251 
Charlotte, Princess, 401 

-Queen, 402 

Chatfield Rev. Dr., 107, 348, 574, 581 
——- Robert, 574 
Cheke Sir John, 162 
Chester William, 130 

-Sir Anthony, 524 

-Rev. William, 625 




















666 


INDEX 


Chichester Colonel, 343 
Child John, 306, 313 
Cholmeley Charles, 574 
Christian Edward, 400 
Christopherson Martha, 501 

- Rev. Thomas, 501 

Clare, Earl of, 615 
Clarence, Duke of, 34 
Clarendon, Lord, 380 
Clarke Charles, 110 

-Rev. Charles, 500 

Clarkson Rev. John, 263, 292 

-'Thomas, 291, 348, 437 

Claudius, Emperor, 3 
Clayton Dr., 582 
Cleeve W. T. 257 
Clement, Pope, 587 
Clinton, Lord, 573 
Cobb Mrs. Susan, 266 

-Edmund, 306, 313 

Codrington Sir C. B. Bart., 530 

-Georgiana, 530 

Coe William, 512 

Coke, Lord, 103 

Colborn Rev. T. 622, 626, 628 

Coldwell Rev. William, 239, 262 

Coldnell Rev. Bradley, 628 

Cole Rev. William, 41, 235, 382, 385 

-Thomas, 448 

Coleraine, Lord, 609, 616, 619, 626 

Collier-90, 127 

-James, 447 

Colman Rev. Bartholomew, 625 
Colton, Archbishop of Armagh, 643 
Colvile Geoffrey, 30, 34 

-John de, 30, 37 

-Sir John, 32,130,134 

-William, 446, 447 

-John, 603 

-Josiah, 473 

-- Sir Roger, 616 

-Richard, 447, 480 

-Sir Charles Henry, 134,482,485 


Colvyle Mr. 198 
Coney Dame Audrey, 511 

-E. 11 

-Thomas, 619 

-William, 619, 621 

-Robert, 619 

-Colonel, 619 

Conflans, Admiral, 646 
Constantius, 589 
Cooch Edward, 257 
Cook Rev. J. T. 107, 570 

-John, 525 

Cooper Robert, 382 
Coraunt John, 639 
Coulcher Rev. Martin, 292 
Coward Thomas, 508, 596 
Cox, Bishop of Ely, 114, 162, 190,191, 
193, 635 

-Thomas, 342 

Craddock Samuel, 107 
Crane John, 322 
Creed John, 603 
Cremer John, 525 

-Leonard, 596 

Cressett John, 649 

Cromwell Oliver, 60, 131, 220, 479,507 

•-Sir Richard, 130 

-Richard, 226 

Crosse Thomas, 164, 174, 179 

-Edward, 493 

-Rev. Edward, 608 

Culledge Charles, 593 
Cursal Stephen de, 561 
Curton Anthony, 622 
Curwen J. C. 256 
Custance James, 106 
Cuthbert, Saint, 258 
Cutts Sir John, 513 

Dacot Rev. John, 628 

-William, 628 

Dales Mrs. 613 
Dalton Arthur, 382 































INDEX 


667 


Damant John, 512 
Dampier, Bishop, 481 
Daniel Sir Thomas, 624 
Danois Ezekiel, 561 
Dashwood George, 526, 527 

-— Richard, 526 

■-■ Rev. James, 585 

David, King, 606 
Dawbarn Mr. 341 
Dearsley Rev. William, 581 
De la Warr, Earl of, 394 

Dennis-627 

Denvers, 618, 620, 641 
Dering John Tliurlow, 83, 107 
Dickinson Rev. John, 473, 478 
Dimond Peter, 446, 544 

- Tristram, 447 

Dixon Francis, 447, 547 

-Thomas, 550 

-Joseph, 589 

-Rev. Robert, 628 

Doddridge Dr. 341 
Dods Rev. Richard, 348 
Dodson Captain William, 220 
Donnellan Captain, 513 
Dorchester Earl of, 126 
Dove Rev. Robert, 498 

--Thomas, 498, 511 

Dow Mr. William, 220, 507 
——- John, 503 

-Miss Anne Graham, 507 

-569 

Drayton Rev. Thomas, 645 
Dredeman William, 588 
Duberley Sir James, 476 

.-• James, 476 

Ducarel Dr. 251 
Dudley Lord, 627, 640 

-Sir Henry Bate, Bart. 400 

Dugdale Sir William, 8,18,28, 60, 109, 
112,126, 129, 138 
Dullingham Simon de, 130 
Duplessis Mary Ann, 502 


Duplessis Rose, 610 
Durham Bishop of, 104 

Eaton Thomas, 598 
Edelwine, Bishop of Durham, 94 
Eden Admiral Graham, 648 
Edes John, 250, 328, 393, 417, 500 

-junior, 503 

Edgar King, 16, 91, 92, 103, 243, 559, 
572,573 

Edgson James, junior, 476 
Edmund King, 13, 533 
Ednothus, 573 

Edward the Confessor, 17, 93, 97, 99, 
103, 120, 153, 533, 602 

-I. 24, 29, 115, 521, 562, 568, 

576, 617, 620,626 

-II. 125, 617 

- III. 92, 109, 115, 521, 531, 

537, 548 

-IV. 40, 149, 150, 153, 380 

- VI. 115, 122, 160, 162, 171, 

173, 174, 193, 197, 212, 228, 542, 
607, 643, 661 

• -Prince, 101 

Edwards Robert, 106 
-John,638 

• -Frances, 638 

-Catherine, 638 

-Thomas, 110, 261, 446, 604 

• -junior, 110 

-William, 239 

Edwin Earl, 93, 94 

-Sir II. 624 

Egfrid, 89, 94 
Elfrida, 92 

Elizabeth Queen, 41, 102, 114, 127, 
190, 193, 197, 212, 523, 545, 616, 
617, 618 

-Daughter of Edward IV. 40 

Ellis William, 443, 444, 446 
Ellstob, 14, 18, 81 
Elsey H. J. 257 





























668 


INDEX 


Ely Lord Bishop of, 25, 34, 92, 130, 
192,193, 345, 395 
— Prior of, 33 
Emma Queen, 93 
Erasmus, 206 
Essex Lord, 496 

-Earl of, 599 

Ethelbald, 453, 454 
Ethelbert, King of Kent, 88, 234 
Etheldreda, 88, 89, 90, 559, 575 
Ethelwold, 91 

Evans Hugh Robert, 84, 106 
Everard John, 33, 451 

-Richard, 34, 174,175,188,193, 

451, 461 

-James, 639 

-Rev. William, 625 

-Elizabeth, 639 

Evermore Hugh de, Lord of Deeping, 96 
Ewen T. G. 545 
Eyre Sir James and Lady, 265 
-Rev. Ambrose, 463, 536 

Fagel Graffier, 635 

Ealkner Captain, 617 

Fane S. 60 

Fardell Rev. H. 107 

Fawcett Robert, 573,577 

Fawssett Major, 31, 392, 612, 614, 631 

-Elizabeth, 31 

-Thomas, senior, 612 

-Alice Catherine, 612 

-Rev. William, 613 

Fearnside John, 313 

Fellowes William Henry, M.P. 83 

Ferdinand Prince, 546 

Ferrour Henry, 239, 262, 512, 605 

Fiennes Honourable Richard, 589, 262 

Fincliam Robert, 503, 531 

- John, 534 

-Thomas, 536 

Fisher William, 223, 239, 447 
-Anthony, 446 


Fisher John, 223 

-Mr. 341 

-Colonel, 584 

Fitz-Gilbert, 96 
Fitzliugh William, 528 
Fitzwilliam Earl of, 73 
Flanaglian Lewis, 107 
Flanner John, 313 

-- Ezekiel, 263 

Fountain Sir Andrew, 11 
Fountayne Richard Wilson, 505 

-C. Judith, 505 

Folkes Martin, 452 

-Sir Wm. H. J. B. Bart. 611, 635 

Ford Sarah, 563 
Fordham Bishop, 126, 191, 246 
Fosbroke, 155, 239, 243, 252, 253 
Foster Dr. John, 608 
Fox Admiral, 267 

-John, 549 

Fraser Dr. 263 

-Hannah, 263 

-Christian, 263 

Freckingham John, 128 
Frencham Henry, 622, 625 

-John, 446 

-Barnabas, 622,,625 

Fringe, 590 
Froissart, 200 
Fryer John, 84 

-Thomas, 443 

Fuller, 152, 322 
Fysli Rev. Henry, 625 

Gale Roger, 11 
Gallant John, 190 

Gardner William Dunn, 84, 107, 348, 
448, 575, 576 

- John, 448 

Garland John, 606 
Garnham Mrs. 331 

Gascoigne Rev.-645 

Gates Francis, 569 



























INDEX 


669 


Gaye Robert, 256,661 
Genn Billett, 107 
George II. 50, 54, 63 

-III. 57, 118, 253, 396, 402, 644, 

645 

-IV. 398, 402,539 

Gill Robert, 447 

Girdle stone Steed, 74, 84, 106, 107, 
202,250,255, 418,482, 616,619,661 

— -Rev. John, 562, 563 

-Zurishaddai, 562 

-— John, 563, 578 

Girdon Robert, 382 
Girling Richmond, 325 
Gislebert Earl, 98 
Godard Walter, 620 

-Robert, 627, 640, 641 

Goddard John, 502 

Goderick Saint, 17, 632, 633 

Godfrey, a Monk, 97, 98 

Golborne Mr. 55, 57, 81, 388, 572 

Goldwell Rev. Mr. 581 

Goode Rev. Ambrose, 467, 630, 639, 645 

-Rachel, 639 

Gooderick Bishop, 159, 168, 188, 241 

- Henry, 174, 175, 179 

Gooch Thomas, 110 

-Bishop, 110 

Gorges Lord, 44 
Gotobed Thomas, 110 
Gough, 41 

-Richard, 118 

Gower Dr. Humphrey, 644 
Grafton Duke of, 567 
Granby, John, Marquis of, 546 
Grseme Henry, 647 

-Major, 647 

Grasse Count de, 546 
Graves Rev. William, 482 
Gray Bishop, 109 

-Nathan, 593 

-John, 593 

Greaves William, 540, 547 


Green Bishop, 110 

-Mr. 253 

Gregory Pope, 234 
Grey Lady Jane, 128 

-Sir Thomas, 130 

Griffin J. B. 493 
G riffith Rev. John, 106 
Groom F. 257 
Ground, 447, 566 
Grounds Thomas, 593 
Guest George, 254, 438 
Guildford Lord, 343 
Gunn Richard, 476 
Gunter Abbot, 559 
Gurney Miss, of Keswick, 113 
Gurneys and Peckovers, 350 
Gutlilac Saint, 14, 139, 453 
Gybb William, vicar, 153, 154 
Gyles William, 499 

-- Rachel, 512 

Gynn Mary, 268 

Hake, 566, 576 
Hakebeach Robert, 496, 513 

-Roger, 513 

-Sir Adam, 512 

Hale Sir Matthew, 544 
Hall Thomas, 257 

-Rev. Thomas Grainger, 324 

-Tobias, 625 

Haltoft Gilbert, 32, 41,513, 534, 536 
Halstead Richard de, 130 
Ham, 1 

Hamlen Rev. Simon, 535 
Hamond Sir Andrew S. 635, 639, 645 
646,648 

Hancock John, 349 
Hand Christopher, 452 
Hanger John, 609 
Hankinson Rev. Robert, 628 

-R. E. 633 

-Mrs. R. 632 

Hansard Anthony, 447, 588 

2 u 2 
























070 


INDEX 


Hardwicke, Philip, Earl of, K.G. 83,84, 
346, 347, 393, 394, 437 

-Lord Chancellor, 110 

-Dr. 107, 250,256,352, 275, 

392, 417, 418 * 

- . Rev. William, 107, 250, 

352, 401, 536 

• -Major-general, 255,268, 440 

• -Mrs. Elizabeth, 535 

Hare Henry, 306 

-John, 609, 618, 619,626 

-Sir Nicholas, 609 

-Hugh, 609 

-Henry, 609 

Harris Robert, 267, 452, 453 
Harrison James, 342 

• -Thomas, 587 

-T. 447 

Hart Rev. William, 622, 625, 632 
Harvey Bishop, 99, 100, 559, 573 
Hawke Admiral, 646 
Hawkins, 203 
-Mary, 512 

• -Dr. 318 

Hayes John, 611 
Hearne, 257 
Henault President, 242 
Hengist, 5 

Henry I. 99, 103, 539, 573 

• -11.125,563 

-III. 101, 234,560, 618 

-IV. 378 

- V.353,620 

-VI. 41,115, 378, 532, 547, 590 

-VII. 40, 154, 571 

-VIII. 96, 98,103,104,157,159, 

162, 212, 365, 531, 545, 559, 575, 
588, 603, 619, 626 
Henson Rev. John, 640, 645 
Hereford Bishop of, 95 
Hereward, 94, 95, 96, 97 
Herloek Richard, 429 
Herrenden Ann, 587 


Herring Henry, 256, 435 

- Dr. Archbishop of Canterbury, 

291, 431,605, 608 

-- Rev. John, 478, 605, 608 

Herodotus, 579 
Heton Thomas, 110 

-Bishop, 110, 114, 496 

Hewar Thomas, 37, 38 

-- alias Oxburgh Lawrence, 239 

-Sir Thomas, 511, 512, 513, 603 

Heaves George, 313 
Heyle Dominus, 126 
Hibbert John, 84 
Hitch Dr. Henry, 446 
Hobard Sir Thomas, 130 

•-James, 618 

-Walter, 618 

-John, 223 

Holden Rev. William, 573, 581 
Holinshed, 100,101,137, 381, 514 
Holland Rev. John, 628 
Holman, 537, 575 
Hollman Michael, 446 
Holmes Rev. T. P. 255, 460, 660 

-William, 257 

-of Exeter, 287, 324 

-Independent Minister, 

339 

Honyter William, 604 
Hood Viscount, 648 

-Francis Wheeler, 648 

Hook Mr. Justice, 343 
Hopkins William, 548 
Horne Bishop, 532 
Hotliam Bishop, 138 
Houghton William de, 617 
Howard, Duke of Norfolk, 608 
Hubbard Miles, 130 

-Walter, 130 

Huddlestone Sir John, 110 
Hudson, 57 

Hugh, Abbot of Ramsey, 100 
lluna, 89, 575 




































INDEX 


671 


Hunston William, 262 

-Henry, 604 

-Thomas, 618, 623 

Hunt Dr. Richard, 644, 645 
Hunter Thomas Orby, 64 
Hutchesson Mann, 162, 349, 417 

Ingoldesthorpe, 513 
Ireland T. 453 

-Rev. Francis, 622, 628 

Ireton Major, 221 
lslip Abbot, 543 

Jackson Hugh, 106, 250, 255, 319, 417, 
504 

-Rev. Jeremiah, 106, 250, 255, 

292, 345, 349, 418, 496, 500 

-Edward, 256 

-Joseph, 593 

Jacomb Samuel, 313 
Jagger William, 536 

-Elizabeth, 536 

James Saint, 643 

-Rev. Hugh, 544, 547 

-I. 42, 123, 128, 129, 218, 229, 

523, 603, 616, 644 
Japhet, 1 

Jarrom Rev. Joseph, 340 
Jenkins Dr. Robert, 645 
Jenkinson Rev. Dr. 468, 470 

-Thomas, 447,501, 503, 509 

Jennings Roger, 446 

-John, 447 

Jenyns Rev. George Leonard, 83,107 

-Charles, 84, 107 

Jermy John, Knight, 269 
-Alice, 269 

Jobson Rev. Abraham, D.D. 107, 243, 
248, 255, 346, 352, 397, 454, 460, 
585, 587, 598, 599, 660 
John King, 25, 23, 100,135, 251, 369, 
378, 379, 545, 547 
Johnson Rev. Dr. Maurice, 541, 559 


Johnson Rev. Henry, 493 

-John, Wisbech, 256 

-Leverington, 256, 447,465 

-Matthew, 257 

-Walter, 541 

-William, 306 

-Hardy, 593 

Jones Inigo, 385 
Joseph and Benjamin, 200 
Jox Rev. John, 625 
Juett Elinor, 606 
Jump William, 616, 632 
Justice William, 130 

Keky, 37 
Keene John, 306 
Kelfull, 568, 569 
Kelsall John, 502 

Kerdeston or Kerdlestone Sir Wm. 562 
Ketene Bishop John de, 126 
Kildare, Hon. and Rt. Rev. Charles, 
Bishop of, 348, 437, 614 
Kinderley Mr. 54, 55, 62, 66, 81, 388, 
633 

King Rev. R. J. 256, 346 
--G. Prebendary of Ely, 348 

Labelye, 60 

Lake Rev. Atwill, 613 

-Sir Atwill, Baronet, 613 

Lamb Thomas, 549 
Lambe John, 147, 148 
Lambert Dr. 645 
Langham Christopher, 619 
Latus Elizabeth and Ann, 639 
Laughton Enderby, 256 
Law Rev. Mr. 400 
Lawrence Saint, 533 
Laxon Roger, 447 
Layton Rev. Andrew, 581 
Leach Henry, 349 
Lee James, 536, 550 
Lefever George, 256 























672 


INDEX 


Leigh Rev. John, 535 
Leland, 27, 113 
Leman Rev. Thomas, 628 
Leo, a Monk, 92 
Leoflede, 116, 378, 536 
Leofric, Earl of Mercia, 94 
Lesley, Bishop of Ross, 102 
Lewin R. H. 593 
Libanus Rev. Wexreslaus, 625 
Lincoln Earl of, 63 

Lindsay Hon. and Rev. Charles, after¬ 
wards Bishop of Kildare, 291, 417 
Livard Count, 561 
Loake Richard, 326 
Loke Richard, 148 
Lovicke Robert, 321 
Louis, Son of Philip of France, 135 
Lumpkin John, 480 
Lupus William, Earl of Chester, 103 
Lynn Mr, 643 
Lyson, 238 

Mac Adam J. Loudon, 376 
Mackerill Mr. 322 
Mac Miller, 341 
Mackworth Sir Humphrey, 343 
Mainwaring Dr. 645 
Major Rev. J. Richardson, 292 
Malcolm Colonel Alexander, 291 
Malet William, 514, 516, 519 

-Robert, 528 

Mallabar Rev. Thomas, 500 

Manchester Earl of, 221 

Manners Lord Charles Somerset, M.P. 

527, 547 

-Robert, 527, 546 

Margesson Rev. Hugh, 196 
Marriott Mr. 74, 256 
Marshall John, 395, 448 

-448 

•-William, 553 

-Mary, 587 

Martin Rev. Challis, 500 


Martin Rev. Henry, 647 
Mary, Queen of Scots, 102 
Masse John, 147, 154 
Massey Dr. 267 
Mason William, 569 

-Rev. Richard, 569 

Matthew of Westminster, 137 
Matthews Rev. Timothy, 489, 536 
Maud Empress, 599 
Mawson Lord Bishop, 110, 456 
Mayer Mrs. Judith, 318, 319 

-John, 417 

Maynard William, 508 

Medworth Joseph, 132, 133,134, 320 

Megges Thomas, 130 

Merest J. D. 107 

Metcalfe Rev. Mr. 400 

-Charles, 266, 417 

-Mrs. 266, 334 

-Elizabeth, 266 

Middlecote Mrs. 325 
Millers Rev. George, 98, 106 
Millicent William, 511 
Milton Lord Viscount, 84, 348 
Montacute Simon, Bp. of Ely, 496,587 
Montrose Marquis of, 647 
Moore Thomas, 257, 452 

-Rev. Thomas Charles Cadwal- 

lader, 570 

-William, 268 

More, 566 
Morcar Earl, 94 

Morgan Sir Charles, Baronet, 83 

—-Rev. Dr. 271, 417, 500 

Morpliew Rev. J. C. 625 
Morris Captain, 502 

-Sarah Furnival, 502 

Morton Bishop, 34, 40, 41, 61, 101, 
127, 247, 380 

- Henry, 661 

Mounpesson Thomas, 31 
Muriel Rev. John, 581 
Mylne, 57, 81. 

















INDEX 


673 


Nalson John, LL.D. 525, 585 

--—- Historian, 583 

Nasmith Rev. Dr. James, 439, 464,468 
Neale John, 598 
Nelson Robert, 543 
Nero Emperor, 3 
Newcome Dr. 641, 645 
Newcomen Mr. 649 
Newitt Thomas, 106 
Newson Rev. John, 500, 501 
Nicholas Pope, 246, 481, 575, 636 
Nicliolls Henry James, 84, 107, 250, 
352,418, 661 
Nicholls, 103, 234,643 
Nigellus Bishop, 100, 477, 566, 575 
Noah, 1 
Noble, 569 

Norfolk Duke of, 102, 619 
Northwold Hugo de, 244 

Ogard Sir Andrew, 130, 513 
Omer Edmund de Saint, 484 

-- Sir Thomas de Saint, 539 „ 

-Hugh de Saint, 539 

Oram Rev. Richard, 468, 536 
Orby Sir Charles, 64 
Orford Earl of, 617 
Orton Thomas, 83,107, 593, 595 

-- William, 418, 661 

■ — Richard, 84 

Osborne Lord Francis Godolphin, M.P. 
348 

Osborn Bridget, 370 
Ostorius Publius, 111, 112 
Oswi, 116, 378,586, 616 
Oswin. Rev. Richard, 292,488 
Otway Rev. George, 581 
Ovin, 89 

Oxburgh He war, 511 

-Lawrence, 524 

-Thomas, 603 

Pacey William, 502 
Page Jonathan, 84,107 


Palgrave Sir John, 220, 221, 384 
Palmer Mrs. 257 

- John,503 

-J.B. 257 

Paris Matthew, 97, 100, 633 
Parke Thomas, 260, 286, 321, 447 

-Etlieldred, 321 

Parkyns, 382 
Parlet Gregory, 525 
Parson Rev. J. 442 

-Mrs. 442 

Parthericke Edward, 110, 446 
Pate Robert Francis, 256, 661 
Patesley Rev. Thomas, 625 
Patrick Bishop, 110 
Paulinus, 243 
Payne William, 508 

■ ■ — Simon, 588 
Peacock John, 501 

Peada, King of the Mercians, 113 
Pearson Dr. John, Bp. of Chester, 6 44 
Peck John, 473, 493 
Peckett Samuel, 629 
Peckover Jonathan, 131, 348, 349 

-Mrs. 331 

-William, 251 

Pega, 453 

Pemberton Rev. Edward, 547 
Pern Rev. Henry, 468 

•-Andrew, 625 

Peterborough Lord Bishop of, 645 
Peyton Sir John, 37, 44, 447, 504, 522, 
524,529,584 

--Edward, 431, 524 

■■ - - Algernon, 525, 586 

-Sewster, 446, 525, 526, 582 

■ - Thomas, 514, 526, 527, 584 

- - -Henry, 448, 503, 504, 514, 

527, 528, 594 

-John, 37, 447 

-Robert, 504, 529 

-Henry, 528, 530 

.. ■- — Dr. Algernon, 239, 525, 534 
























674 


INDEX 


Peyton Rev. Algernon, 107, 527, 529, 
534, 585, 593 
Philip of France, 135 
Pierson Martin, 597 

-Henry, 239, 325 

Piggott Robert, 380 

Pindar Rev. Peter, 478 

Pitt Right Honourable William, 647 

Place Henry, 340 

Plantagenet Hamelin, 618, 626 

Plato, 260 

Plumtre Rev. Joseph, 482 
Pollard Rev. Richard, 478 
Pope Nicholas, 246, 494 

-Boniface, 484 

-John, 256, 661 

-593 

Popham Sir John, 42 
Porrus Peter Paul, 239 
Portland Duke of, 634 
Potter Rev. Dr. 499 
Potts Rev. Thomas, 605 
Powell John, 132 
Pownall Governor, 55 
Prasutagus, King of the Iceni, 3 
Pratt William, 106, 593 

-Richard, 641 

- Henry, 640 

-Rev. John, 570 

-Esther, 606 

Proby Dr. 584 

-Rev. Dr. Baptist, 585 

Prockter John, 160,179 
Proud Joseph, 340 
Pryme George, 84,107 
Pujolas Rev. Henry, 478 
Purrant William, 496 
Pyckarde Thomas, 179 
Pyle Rev. Thomas, 535 

Quarles C. 253 

Raleigh Sir Walter, 523 

Rand Rev. Brock, 436,464, 468, 482 


Randall Dr. 254 
-569 

Randolph Rev. John, 463 
Rastall Mr. 194 
Ratcliffe John, 593 
Rawling Rev. Thomas, 581 
Rayner William, 250, 255, 262, 392, 
393, 448 

Read Richard, 447, 566 
Reade Richard Parlet, 447, 575 
Redbald King, 13 
Redin Mr. 486 
Redman Dr. 238 

Rennie John, 57, 64, 68, 70, 71, 72, 
75, 81 

Repps John, 37, 611, 612 

-Ralph, 611 

-Thomas, 611 

-Henry, 611 

Revell Rev. Richard, 628 
Reynolds Rev. Richard, 468 

-Richard, 476 

-Lawrence, 476 

Richard I. 134, 378, 545 

-II. 115,139,141, 143,144,618 

-a Monk, 98 

Richmond Earl of, 101 

- Duchess of, 607 

Riss Jeremiah, 447 
Roberts William, 84 
Robertson Mr. 351 
Robinson John, 339 

•-Rev. Henry, 645 

Rochford Sir John de, 130, 623 

-— Ralph de, Bishop of Ely, 617 

-— Sir Ralph de, 617, 620, 623, 

624, 625 

-Sayer de, 617 

- 627, 611 

Rodney Admiral Lord, 546 
Rokeland Walter, 148 
Royce Richard, 326 
Rulton, 96 

Russel Lord Francis, 38 


/ 




















INDEX 


675 


Russel Lord John, 560 

-564 

Rustat Rev. John, 468 
Rutland Earl of, 545 

-Charles, Duke of, 546 

-John, Duke of, 546 

-John Henry, Duke of, 346, 

546, 547 

Rutter Rev. Timothy, 547 
Ruyter Admiral de, 492 
Ryland John, 313 

Sackville Lord George, 546 
Saffery Edmund, 545 
Salabank William, 179 

-James, 382 

Salter Rev. John, 581 

Sandiford Dr. Peter, 481, 482,661 

Sandys Sir Miles, 260 

Sandwich Earl of, 492, 571 

Sanford Nicholas, 267, 378 

St. John Oliver, Lord Chief Justice, 131 

-Mrs. 227 

St. Barbe Dame Alice, 539 
Saxers Colonel, 221 
Saxulph Abbot, 113, 559 
Saye and Sele Lord Viscount, 324 
Scales William, 606 
Scarlett, 365 

Schultz George and Dorothy, 611 
Scotred Robert, 160,174,179, 193, 209 

-William, 320, 382 

Scott Robert, 107 
Sculthorpe John, 502 

__C. T. 256 

Selbenna, 89 
Selvera, 89 
Severus Emperor, 11 
Sewster Sir Robert, 525 

__ William and John, 575 

Seymour Lord Hugh, 567 

_Rev.T.C.W. 107, 573 

-John, 573 

Shacklock George, 614 


Shakspeare, 484 

Sheepshanks Rev. Thomas, 349, 370, 
417, 606 
Shem, 1 

Shepherd Richard, 269, 390 
Shepheard Thomas, 447, 588 

•- Elizabeth, 587 

Shephard James, 597 

-Stephen, 597 

-Elizabeth, 597 

-Thomas, 597 

Simeon, a Monk, 98 
Skelton Colonel, 525 
Skrimshire William, 266 
Skevington Thomas, 527 
Smith Thomas, 61 

-Robert, 236, 657 

-Rev. Dr. 628 

-James, 257 

-Sir Thomas, 468 

-Rev. Richard, 612 

-Israel, 617, 629 

Snape Robert, 645 

-Dr. Andrew, 645 

Snell Rev. Vyner, 585 
Solomon King, 606 
Somerset Duke of, 174, 175 
Southwell Edward, 131, 262, 265, 490, 
512, 606 

-Thomas, 606 

-Henry, 265, 435, 447, 512 

--— Elizabeth, 265 

-Mary, 265 

--Rev. Henry, 536 

-Frances, 265 

-Dr. Henry, 435 

- John,265 

-Sigismund TrafFord, 490, 614 

--— Sir Robert, 588 

-Richard, 603 

Sparke Bowyer Edward, Lord Bishop of 
Ely, 110, 463, 470 

-Rev. John Henry, 107, 468, 661 

Spelman Henry, 34 

2 x 




































676 


INDEX. 


Spelman Sir Henry, 117 
Spooner Thomas, 84 
Squire Thomas, 501, 504, 503 
Squier William, 106 
Stanhope Dean, 343 
Stanley Dr. 238 
Stanroyd James, 369 
Stanton Rev. William, 535 
Staveley, 235 
Steed Thomas, 563 
Stephen King, 100, 234, 599 
Stevens Mrs. 256 

--Rev. Dr. 625 

Stevensons, 98, 125 
Sticliall Rev. Zachariah, 263 
Stigand Archbishop, 94 
Stone Nicholas, 511 
Stona, 566 

Storks Henry, Chief Justice of the Isle 
of Ely, 105,107 
Stradbroke Earl of, 527 
Street William, 504 
Strong Rev. William, 581 
Stukeley Dr. 8, 111 
Sturmyn William, 217, 382 
-Mrs. 383 

Suffolk, Robert de Ufford, Earl of, 521 

--— William de Ufford, Earl of, 521 

Sumpter John, 447 
Sutton Rev. Dr. 431 
Swaine Robert, 447, 465 

•-Thomas, 465 

--- Spelman, 466 

-John, 465, 466,504 

--Rev. John, 500 

--Daniel, 447, 466 

«>-Dorothy, 466 

Swansborough W illiarn, 250, 256 

-John, 512 

Swedenberg Baron, 340 
Swetenham Rev. Henry, 645 

Tacitus, 2, 11, 111,112 
Tamehameha, King of the Sandwich 
Islands, 445 


Tamehamalu, Queen of the Sandwich 
Islands, 445 

Tanner Bishop, 440, 548 
Tavistock Marquis of, 71, 84 
Taylor Matthias, 130, 259, 446 

-J. 447 

-Joseph, 256 

-Samuel, 480 

Telford Thomas, 71, 75, 81 
Terrys, 576 
Tetricus, 508 

Tillotson Rev. Robert, 499 
Tindal Sir John, 522 
-239 

Thimblebie Master, 382 
Thompson Pisliey, 112 
Thurloe Secretary, 130, 131, 134, 226, 
227, 325, 430, 567 
Thurstan, seventh Abbot, 94 
Todd John Edward, 487 
-595 

Tonbert, Prince of the South Gyrvii, 88 
Topping Rev. Thomas, 569 
Torkington Rev. William, 581 
Townley Richard Greaves, 84, 541, 546, 
548 

-Rev. Gale, 256,541,548,550, 

551, 552, 558,661 

- Jonathan, 548 

Townshend James, Alderman of London, 
610 

-Henry Hare, 611, 613, 617, 

618, 619, 626, 629 

-Rev. Chauncey Hare, 611, 

619 

Trajan Emperor, 17 
Trafford Sigismund, 435 
Tresham Francis, 128 
Trotman Robert, 528 
Trokenholus, a Monk, 477 
Tuddenham Sir Thomas, 33, 46 r 

——-Robert, 460 

Tully Mr. Surgeon, 206 
Turner, 2 
-- C. 447 























INDEX 


677 


Turner Charles, 624 
Tweedy John Esam, 631 
Twells Robert, 268 
Twistleton Honourable William, 84 
Tyrington Dr. Walter, 643 

Uffa, a Saxon Commander, 13 
Ufford William de, 517, 521 

—-- Robert de, 519, 521 

-Ralph de, 521 

-John de, 321 

-- Andrew de, 522 

Ulyat Abraham, 467, 476, 477 
Underwood F. 19 

-Hugh, 566 

Upwood Thomas, 635 

-Thorogood, 638, 639 

-Elizabeth, 638 

-Ann, 638 

-Samuel, 639 

Usill James, 250, 255, 418, 661 

-Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan, 269 

-Mrs. 331 

-Abraham, 256, 661 

_ H. M. 255 

Vachell Rev. 399 
Valentinian, 508 
Vancouver, 55, 56 
Varenne Dr. George, 500 
Vavazor Sir Philip, 269, 417, 447 

-Charles, 269, 416 

Vawser Robert, 593 
Vermuyden Sir Cornelius, 43, 573, 574 
Vernoun William, 504 
Vespasian, 17, 589 
Victorinus, 508 
Vipan Joseph, 84 

Wace John, Priest of Walton, 612 
Waddington Harry Spencer, 84 

-Dr. 499 

--Thomas, 582, 585 


Waddington George, 447 
Wade Rev. 645 

-Henry, 590 

Waite David, 502 
Wake, 96 

Wakefield John, 605 
Walcot William, 603 
Walden Lionel, 585 
Wale Sir Charles, K.C.B. 291 
Waleran, 615, 616 
Waldegrave Earl of, 567 

-Countess of, 567 

Walker Rev. Dr. Richard, 547 

— -William, 645 

Walpole Ralph de, 617 
-Reginald, 617 

— -Henry de, 617, 618 

-Sir James, 617, 620 

-Alice de, 618 

Walsh am William, 587 

• -Beauchamp, 596 

-Thomas, 596 

• -John, 447, 596 

-Rynold, 597 

-Sarah, 597 

Ward Dr. Samuel, 644 
-William, 110 

--Robert, 256 

-G. A. 256 

Wardale Robert, 640 
Warmoll Edward, 268 
Warren Earl, 615, 618, 626 

-- Rev. Samuel Fenner, 626 

- Dr. John, Bishop of Bangor, 

265, 348, 437, 468, 499 
Waterhouse Rev. William, 622 
Watkinson Thomas, 493 
Watt, 649 
Watte, 57, 67, 81 
Watts Rev. Dr. Boniface, 498 
Watson, Bishop of Lincoln, 127,128 

- Simon, 446 

»' - Cooke, 269 


2x2 

































678 


INDEX 


Watson Alice, 269 

-William, 105,107,110, 250, 255, 

348, 349, 352, 394, 417, 418, 661 

-Thomas Steed, 256 

-Catherine, 268 

Webb Philip Carterett, 118 
Weight Charles David, 478 
Welby, 619 
Wells Samuel, 84 

-William, 572 

-Dr. Simon, 644 

Wellington Duke of, 547 
Wendreda Saint, 586, 588 
Wensley Peter, 605 

-Robert, 605, 606 

West, Bishop of Ely, 110 

-James, 610 

Weston Father, 127 
Westwood J. 448 
Wlietan Sir John, 622, 625 
Whetstone Elizabeth, 565 
Whitgift Archbishop, 127 
Whitworth, 81 

Whyte, Bishop of Lincoln, 128 
Wickliffe, 239 
Widdington Dr. Ralph, 644 
Wignall Edward, 604 
Wiles Thomas, 493 
Wilkes Edward, 179 

-Heaton, 536 

-John, 536, 547 

Willis, 127 

William I. 17, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 103, 
123, 124, 131, 252, 514, 528, 602, 
615, 618 

-III. 51, 343 

-of Wyckham, 563 

- Malmesbury, 19, 563 

— — — Whittlesea, 570 


Williams Rev. Philip, 585, 597 
Wilson Fountayn Richard, 505 
Wing Tycho, 60, 76, 84, 107, 561 

-- John, 105, 256, 612, 635, 661 

-Hannah Norton, 612 

-Rev. J. 107 

Wisbech John de, 428, 429 
Wiseman T. 447 

Wishart Robert, Bp. of Glasgow, 126 
Wode John le, 568 
Wolsey William, 380 
Wood Thomas, 269 

-Dr. Dean of Ely, 107 

Wooseley John, 313 
Worcester Marquis of, 649 
Worsley J. C. 576 
Worrall George, 266 
Wren Bishop, 110, 492, 561 

- William, 110, 446 

- Matthew, 492 

- Charles, 446 

Wraight Thomas, 313 
Wrangle John, 503 
Wright Rev. Samuel, 584 

-Robert, 446 

- Dorothy, 605 

-Elizabeth, 326, 370 

Wriothesley Sir Thomas, 603 
Wulpliere, 113, 116, 571 
Wyatt Francis, 110 

-Rev. Richard, 154, 155, 240 

Wyldbore Michael, 597 
Wynde Catherine, 236 

Yeoman, 81 

Yorke James, Lord Bishop, 110 

-Right Honourable Charles, 84 

Young Isaac, 447 

























INDEX TO THE PRINCIPAL MATTER. 


.ABBEY of Ely, Annual Revenues of, 98 
converted into a Bislioprick, 99 
Abbess Etheldreda’s death, 90 
A bbies, indebted to them for most of our 
Historians in Church and State, 90 
King Edgar great friend to, 91 
Abbot Brithnod first set forth the Limits 
of the Isle, 92 
Abbot’s Delf, 92 

Absence of any of Ten Men, fine there¬ 
upon, 199 

Abstinence from flesh by the Monks, 86 
Accretion of Soil, 15 
Accounts of the Brotherhood of the 
Holy Trinity, 143 

Acre-Tax of eleven sorts in the Division 
of the Levels, 52 

Act of Charles II. for draining the 
Great Level, 47 
-pretended, 46 

— for improving the Town of Wisbech, 
371 

— for erecting and endowing the 
Chapel, 410 

—- for erecting a Bridge across Sutton 
Wash, 79 


Act for improving the Outfall of the 
Nene, 410 

— for Turnpike Road to Chatteris, 388 

— Canal, 389 

Admiral Lord High, Duke of York, 492 
Earls of Suffolk of the Peyton family, 

521 

Adventurers (see also Undertakers) for 
Draining the Great Level, 44, 51, 
53, 61 

Adventurers’ Lands, 46 

JEger or Hygre, first impulse of waters, 

122 

Agricultural Produce, Depreciation of 
in 1821, 73 

Agriculture, History of, within the Isle, 
419 

Ague, Remedy for, 357 
Aldermen of the Guild, 140, 141,147, 
148,149,151,152,154, 158,159,160 
List of, 411, 412 

Alders, Harbour for the King’s Deer, 15 
Roots found in cutting the Eau Brink, 
58 

Aldreth Bridge, one of the Entrances 
into the Isle, 85 



680 


INDEX 


Alluvial Deposit, by which the Surface 
of the Country was raised, 7 
Alienation of Bishop Cox, so called, 114 
Alrehede, or Audrey, Rendezvous of 
Wm. the Conqueror’s Army, 95, 100 
Almshouses, King John’s, 136 
in the New Market, 153 
Account of, 317 

Anglia East, Description of the Country 
by an early Historian, 5 
Anglo-Saxons not remarkable for their 
skill in Embankments, 14 
Poem in praise of Duke Brithnoth, 92 
Mode of Relief to the Poor, 155 
Anniversaries, what, 163 
Antiquarian Society, revival of. 111 
Antlers, a pair of found in excavating 
the Eau Brink, 58 
Aqueduct Roman, 11, 112 
April Meeting of Bedford Level Corpo¬ 
ration, the Time how calculated, 50 
Armada Spanish, 382 

Contribution raised in Wisbech, 382 
Arch, additional one to the Bridge pro¬ 
posed amongst other Improvements,74 
Asiatic Royal Society, an Institution 
recently established, 442 
Assemblies in Wisbech, 350 
Assizes, 105, 352, 386 

Special, on account of Littleport Riots, 
400 

Black Assize at Oxford, 539 
Associated Counties during the time of 
Charles I. 222 

Association for Prosecution of Felons, 
389 

Assyrians, 1 

Auditor of Bedford Level, 53, 84 
Audrey—see Alrehede, 100 
Avignon, 587 

Bailiff Chief, of the Isle, his Authority, 
105 


Bailiff Chief, equivalent to High Sheriff 
of a County, 105 
Names of from the year 1294, 109 
Bailiff of the Town—see Town-Bailiff 
Barley, Town of, 4 

Bankers, Messrs. Gurneys and Peck- 
overs, 350 

Bank North, Breach of, 64, 562 
Barton Cross, 36 
Lane, 74 
Manor, 134 

Bangor, Harvey, made first Bishop of 
Ely, 99 

Baptist Chapel, 339 
Bardolph Manor in Outwell, 536 
Barnack Pits, 235 
Barrows, see Tumuli 
Baths, Hot and Cold Salt Water, 353 
Battel Abbey Roll, 482, 484 
Catalogue, 514 
Bee in Normandy, 115 
Beccles, 115 
Bedford River, 21, 51 
Old ditto, 52, 550, 551 
Bedford Level Laws, 47 
Corporation of, 47,48, 51, 54, 59, 63, 
64, 551, 552 
Acts, 47, 49, 53, 57 
Beaupre Hall, 531, 536 
Manor, History of, 539 
Begdale, 73 

Belvoir Castle, noble Collection of Paint¬ 
ings in, 546 

Bells Peal of eight in Wisbech, two ad¬ 
ditional, making ten, 243 
Bellymill Bridge, 33 
Benefactions in Wisbech St. Peter’s— 
see Charities, 316 

Benedictine Monks, Order of, their 
Rules, 86—88, 573 
Benwick, 21, 34 
History of, 599 
Garrison place.d there, 599 


INDEX 


681 


Bonds for Monies advanced, 217 
Berryal Field, 495, 507 
Berkyng Chapel, 512 
Berton, 209 
Bevill’s Leam, 573 
Bevis Cross, 33, 34, 40 
Hall, 36 

Bermondsey, 132 

Bible, first Translation of by Wickliffe, 
afterwards others by Tindal and King 
James, 239 
Society, 347 
Billiard Room, 299 
Biography, 428, 645 
of Sir Andrew Hamond, 645 
Birds which inhabit the Fens, 109 
Bishops before Monks in most places, 
but in Cambridgeshire Monks were 
before Bishops, 99 

Bishoprick, how Ely became a, 96—99 
Black Drove, 453 
Black Assize at Oxford, 539 
Boring for Water at Welney, 558 
Boston, an ancient Fort there, 111, 235 
Boys School, account of, 327 
Brandon River, or Ouse Parva, 22, 23, 26 
Breach of North Bank, 64, 562 
Brecknock Castle, 101 
Brickleswortli, 99 

Bridge, beginning to work on, 200—see 
Wisbech Bridge 
The History thereof, 277 
Bridge at Sutton Wash, promoters of, 
75—79 

Britain invaded by the Romans, when, 2 
divided into small Tribes, 2 
Empire of Rome expired in, 4 
Britons’ Religion similar to the Gauls, 2 
chose a General Commander in case 
imminent danger, 2 
rather Allies than Tributaries of the 
Romans, 2 

employed by Agricola in clearing the 

Woods, 11 


Britons, their Nautical Skill and un¬ 
daunted Bravery, 647 
British Museum, 235 
Brunne, or Bourne, Ilereward, Lord of, 
renowned for Valour, 94 
beats his Adversaries, and obtains 
lasting renown, 95 
refuses to submit, 96 
Buckden, 99 

Burgesses summoned to Parliament, 224, 
384 

first returns extant, 225 
doubtful whether Wisbech possessed 
such Privilege, 226 
The right claimed under the Protect¬ 
orate, 226 

Thurloe accordingly chosen Repre¬ 
sentative for Wisbech, 226, 384 
Burgh characteristic of a Saxon City, 85 
Burnt Fen, 45 

Burying the Dead, Customs of the Da¬ 
nish, Saxons, &c. 578—see also In¬ 
terments 

Butchers’ Shambles erected, 211 
Row, 369 

Butchery built, 383 

Caen in Normandy, 252 
Cambridge, 4, 41,57, 58,135 
Cambridgeshire, 20, 21 
Campole in Chatteris, 577 
Canal Act passed, 389 
Account of, 313 
Canterbury, 149,153 
Capital Burgesses, Name first assumed, 
219 

Signatures first subscribed, 219 
Carr Dyke, a Roman Work, 64 
Caracute of Land, quantity, 119 
Caster near Peterborough, 111 
Castle, History of the, 123—134 
Casto Dyke in Walpole, now Wisbech 
Turnpike Road, 618—see Walpole St. 
Peter’s 


C82 


INDEX. 


Cattle Market, account of, 299 
Causeway across the Fens from Denver 
to Peterborough, 11 

Cemeteries anciently a mile from the 
Monasteries, 258 
Census—see Population 
Cester characteristic of a Roman City, 85 
Chamberlain first appointed, 158 
Channel will grind deepest where River 
is confined, 81, 82 
Chanting, 157 
Chantry, what, 241 
Saint Martin’s, 241 

Chapel New, intended, with List of Sub¬ 
scribers to, 254, 255 
When first Stone laid, 660 
The Dimensions, 660 
Additional Subscriptions, 661 
Chapel of Corpus Christi, Foundation 
of, 166 

Chapels, ancient ones at Murrow, &c. 
258 

Charlestown, Capture of, 646 
Cliaritie Cross, 31 

Charities, account of Public—see Bene¬ 
factions in Wisbech St. Peter’s, 316 
Wisbech St. Mary’s, 457 
Leverington, 470 
Parson Drove, 473 
Newton, 487 
Tid St. Giles, 492 
Elm, 508 
Outwell, 537 
Upwell, 549 
Welney, 553 
Whittlesea, 569 
Chatteris, 580 
March, 590, 596 
Wimblington, 598 
Benwick, 599 
Manea, 600 
Walsoken, 607 
Walton, 613 


Charities in Walpole St. Peter’s and St. 
Andrew’s, 630 
Terrington, 641 
Charlemont, 45 

Charter of Edward VI. 174—187, 380 
Advice taken for its Confirmation to 
the Freeholders inhabiting within the 
Town, 218 

Charter of James I. renewed with fur¬ 
ther Powers, 218, 219, 383 
An attempt to renew, with power to 
appoint Capital Burgesses for life, 219 
Chatteris, 54, 90, 92 
History of, 573 

Arms, &c. of a British Warrior found 
there, 576 
Nunnery, 573, 598 
Cheapside, London, 368 
Chettisliam, 92 

Chief Bailiff—see Bailiff Chief 
Children Orphan, placed out Apprentices 
by the Ten Men, 198 
Christian Knowledge Society, 342 
Christianity, Ethelbert first converted 
to, 88 

Christopher’s Chapel in Elm, 495 
Hermitage in Outwell, 531 
Chronicles of Normandy, 517—see Nor¬ 
mandy 

Chronological Account of Miscellaneous 
Occurrences in Wisbech and the 
Neighbourhood, 378 
Churches, History of, present ones may 
stand upon Foundations laid upon old 
surface of the Country, 17 
Church of W isbech, description of, 234 
—271 

Of the Bells, 243 
Custom of Ringing, 243 
First Endowment, 245 
Second ditto, 245 
The amount of Tithes, 247 
Churches for the living, Church-yards 
for the dead, 544 


INDEX. 


683 


Cirnbri, 1, 2 
Civil Wai*, 151, 220 
Clackclose, Liberty of, 542 
.Clencliwarton, 602 

Clergy, Regular and Secular, distinc¬ 
tion between, 245 
Clerk of the Guild, 141 
Clothing necessitous Poor, 334 
Clow’s Cross, 22,32, 38, 59, 477 
Communication by Land and Water 
greatly facilitated, 649 
Coaches leaving Wisbech, 351 

Mail, distance run over in a single 
Night, 649 

only six Coaches out of London in 
1672, 649 

curious reason against increasing the 
number, 649 
Coins—see Roman Coins 
Coining Halfpence, 385 
Coldham, 39, 42 

* 

House, account of, 503 
Manor, 503 

Coleseed, Differences respecting Tithe 
of, 385 

introduction of, 385 
Colvile, Family of, 479 
Pedigree, &C.485 
Manor, 616 

Commissioners to survey Lay Corpora¬ 
tions and Guilds, 163, 164 
Committee of Works of the North 
Level, 65 

Common Seal—see Seal 
Core Corner, 36 

Corn Exchange, account of, 298 
Market built, 194, 383 
Coronation of George IV., Ceremonies 
attending the, 404 

Corporate Body, Power to acquire 
Lands, 214 

Corporations, Origin of, 123 


Corporation of Bedford Level, 47, 52, 
55, 61, 63—68, 79, 80, 82 
Conveyances to he registered, 48 
Conservators, 47 
Commonalty, 47 

to act as Commissioners of Sewers, 48 
Power to lay Taxes, 48 
the natural Protectors of that Tract 
of Country, 82 
their Services important, 83 
invested with considerable Funds, 83 
the Noblemen and Gentlemen who 
compose the Board, 83, 84 
divided the Level into three Districts, 
51 

Corporation Farm, 68 
Cottonian Library, 92 
Coveney, 92, 600 

Crab Hole, 68, 69, 70, 72, 75, 77, 78, 
79, 80, 653 
Crabb Marsh, 36, 380 
Cratendune Field, where Ely anciently 
stood, 88 
Creak Lode, 35 

Crescent, Wisbech, 124, 132, 133, 372 
Cromwell Oliver, Anecdote of him at 
Needham Hall, 220, 507 
his Siege of Crowland, 221 
his Letter to Mrs. St. John, 227 
Cross Guns, 65 

Cross Keys Wash, (see also Sutton 
Wash) 21, 59, 63, 70, 75, 79, 121 ; 
King John said to have lost his Bag¬ 
gage here 

Cross of Ovin, curious Antiquity, 89 
at Guyliirn, 37 
Spittal, 37 
at Leverington, 467 
Well, 505, 537 

# 

Thorney, 564 
Walsoken, 606 
Terrington, 643 

Crosses anciently erected for various 
purposes, 139, 467, 606 
2 Y 


684 


INDEX. 


Cross-Legged Figures on Monuments, 
at what period date to be placed, 258 
Crowland, 22 
Monastery, 37 
Abbey destroyed, 91 
Siege of, 221 
first Ring of Bells, 243 
Crusades, 206 

Crying Stone in Wisbech, 369 
Cumberland, 3 

Custom House, account of, 300 
Cut at Littleport Chayre—see Littleport 
Cliayre, 28 

at Eau Brink—see Eau Brink Cut 
Curfew, 242, 243 

Culimites, account of the, by Mr, Ben- 
tham, 456 

Dacot’s Hall in Walpole, 627 
Danes gained possession of the Coun¬ 
try, 5 

their Plunder and Devastation of the 
Monasteries, 91 
Invasion, 93 

destroyed Thorney Monastery, 559 
Peterborough, 571 
Deadman’s Lane, why so called, 125 
the Lane, 194, 342 
Dean of the Guild, 141 
Death of Prs. Charlotte of Wales, 401 
Queen Charlotte, 402 
King George III. 402 
Decay of Trade, 387 

of Outfall at Wisbech, by diversion 
of the Ouse, 22 
Decoy, description of, 471 
Dee River, Edgar rowed down by eight 
kings, 91 

Deer, Shelter for in Ely Fen, 9 

Alder & Reeds afforded harbour to, 15 
Complaint of the waste of the Alders, 
so that the King’s Deer had not har¬ 
bour, 15 


Defence of the Isle against William the 
Conqueror, 93 

again in the time of Charles I. 220 
Delinquency, several Persons fined for 
by the Parliament, 384 
Denver Sluice, 21, 35, 51 
built, 51 
destroyed, 51 
set down again, 51 

Lynn Merchants complain of its ef¬ 
fects, 51 

Devil’s Ditch, 578 

Dispensary, Village one at Terrington, 
641, 642 

Division of the Great Level into three 
Districts, 51, 53 

Divorce of Lord and Lady Coleraine,. 

curious form of, 609, 610 
Doddington, 54, 92, 191 
History of, 581 
the Manor, 583, 584 
Palace there, 584 

Domesday Book, 113, 116—120, 123, 
140,493, 531, 565, 571 
Don, 579 

Don Cossacks, 579 
Dorcas Charity, 328 
Downham in the Isle, 92, 192 
in Norfolk, 380 

Drainage, spirit of improvement, 80 
Steam power used, 108 
Drainage of the Country undertaken by 
Francis, Earl of Bedford, 44—see 
also Vermuyden 

Drains, by division of the Waters, de¬ 
prived the main Rivers of their sup¬ 
ply, 23 

grow up for want of scouring, 26 
Draining of the Country, neglect of, 28 
Drawbridge of the Castle, 124 
Droves, raised ones called Causeways, 36 
Duffield Hall, seat of Sir C. II. Colvile* 
134, 482, 485 


INDEX. 


685 


Duke, Title of first created by Edward 
III. 92 

Dungeon of Castle, why so called, 129 
Dutch Fleet under command of De 
Ruyter, 492 

Garden of Graffier Fagel, 635 
Dyer’s Poem of the Fleece, 564 

Eagle, brazen one, designation of in 
Churches, 532, 542, 621 
Earith where Ouse divides, 20, 21, 34 
Bridge, 85 

Earthquake in time of Consulship of 
Valens, 19 
felt at Wisbech, 387 
East Anglia—see Anglia 
East Field, 36, 40 
Eau Brink Cut, 53—58 

first Act passed in 1795, 57 
Bridge over, 58 
to be widened, 58 
Expenses attending the Work, 59 
Edinburgh, 647 

Eels, quantity rendered to Abbot of Ely, 
Crowland, Ramsey, &c. 118—121 

Egypt* 108 

Egyptians, 1 
Elections—see Meetings 
Manner of, 228 
the present mode, 231 
state of the Poll in 1826, 233 
Elephant, part of a Skeleton found at 
Chatteris, 577 

Elizabeth’s, Queen, Letter to Bishop 
Heton, 114 

Elm, 31, 32, 34, 37, 60, 92 
History of, 493 
Benefactions, 508 
Crowmere in, 509 
Leam, 39, 62 
Elton, 54 

Ely, Isle of, 42, 84, 85, 90 
History of, 85 


Ely, Isle of, a place of voluntary retire¬ 
ment by those of great piety, 85 
a Fine levied in, 215 
Entrances into, 85 
Limits of, 92 
the present State, 108 
its Population, 109 
Ely, Ouse passes by, 20 
City, 57,100 

a Church said to be founded there by 
Ethelbert, 88 

Founding of the Monastery, 88—90 
only City unrepresented in Parlia¬ 
ment, 89 

old Town south of the present City, 89 
Monastery flourished, 90 
Spoliation by the Danes, 91 
Conventual Church, 91 
Remains most curious, 91 
Isle of, its Privileges, 91, 92 
Revenues of the Abbey, 98 
Isle defended against William the 
Conqueror, 93 

Treasures sent thither for protection, 
93 

its Security, 93 
Place of refuge, 94 

Ely obtained possession of by Wm. I. 95 
yielded up to the King by the Monks, 
96 

Surrender of, 96 

Conventual Church converted into a 
Cathedral, 96 

how it became a Bishoprick, 96, 97 
its magnificent Structure, 98 
Episcopal See, 99 
first Bishop, 99 

Temporal Jurisdiction of the Isle, 99 
Surrender to Henry VIII. 101 
erected into a Cathedral, 101 
Dean and Chapter constituted, 102 
Ely Feasts, their sumptuous Provision, 
98 

2 y 2 


686 


INDEX. 


Ely Franchise, 102 

one of the most ancient, 104 
Embankments erected by the Romans, 10 
their Decay, 13 
liow regained, 15 

Overflow of Waters occasioned by 
improvident and partial Banking, 23 
Emneth, 159 
History of, 510 
the Lodge, 530 

curious Characters thereon, 530 
Engineers, 74 

Entry of Proceedings of the Corporate 
Body for preserving amity amongst 
their Neighbours, 197 
Epitaphs, very ancient, 259 

a Law that they should be comprised 
in four Verses, 260 
Eton College, 238 
Eye, the, 63, 308 

Expenses, Items of, on a Journey to 
Lynn to acknowledge a Fine, 215 
Expenditor-General of Bedford Level 
Corporation, 53 
Exports, 313, 386 
Exton Park, 130 

Fairs in Wisbech, 3.54 
Families, principal ones in Cambridge¬ 
shire in 1673, 446 
Famine, 379, 386 

Family of Peyton, historical account of, 
514—530 

the various Branches, 520 
of the Colviles, 482—487 
Manners, short account of the Duke 
of Rutland, 545, 546 
Fee paid to Serjeant at Law, 149 
Feltwell, 45, 52 

Female Friendly Society, 330—333 
its Usefulness, 333 
Fendike, 33,166, 460 
Breach of, 379 


Fertility of the Soil, Saxons invited by, 
17, 602 

Festival on George III. completing the 
50th Year of his Reign, 396,397 
on account of the General Peace, 
397, 398 

on Coronation of George IV. 405— 
410 

Fine for passing an Estate, Items of 
Expenses of, 214, 215 
Form of one used in the Isle of Ely, 
215, 216 

Fines of the Ten Men in cases of ab¬ 
sence, 199 

Fires in Wisbech, 382, 383, 384 
Fish, Premiums offered to supply the 
Market with, 389 
Conveniency of in the Isle, 85 
such as generally found there, 109,121 
Fisheries, Rights of, in Whittlesea 
Mere, 571, 572 

Fitton Hall, Leverington, 451, 463, 472 
Flanders, Wars of, 523 
Flax—see Hemp 

Flesh, abstinence from by the Monks, 86 
Fleet, 6 
Flood, the, 1 
Flood’s Ferry, 62 
Flood happened, 33o, 381 
Fonts anciently much adorned, 467 
Forts erected from the Nene to the 
Severn, 111 
Fosse Way, 112 
Four Gowts, 33, 41, 60 
Freebridge, Hundred of, 60 
Friday-Bridge, 504, 505 
Friendly Societies amongst Male Mem¬ 
bers, 334 

Friends’ Religious Society, 336 
Frosts, 387,396 

Gallery erected for Secretary Tliurloe, 
384 



INDEX 


687 


Gallows erected, 379 
Gaol, its History, 292, 293 

whom supported by in the Isle, 105 
(ias Light, when first introduced, 353 
Gaul, 1 
Gedney, 67 
Gentiles, 1 
German’s Saint, 21 
Germany, 1 
Giggs Drove, 36 
Gilbertines Priory, 545 
Glassmore in Whittlesea, 569 
Gloucester, 135 
Gold Dyke, 60 
Gomerians, 1 
Goneldich, 31 

Governor, Bailiffs, and Conservators of 
the Great Level, their Qualification, 
49 

Names of, 83 

Gowts, the Four, 33, 41, 60 
Grace, saying of, a peculiar method, 157 
Grain, dearness of, 379, 386 
Grammar School House, 133, 163, 168 
its History, 285 

Grant, River, its Origin, unites with 
the Ouse, 20—22 
Great Level in its original state, 7 
comprises 400,000 acres, 8 
Division of, 51 
Great River, 63 

Cross, 21, 29,39, 40 
Portsand—see Portsand 
Grecians, 1 

Greeks and Armenians, number of, 345 
Greek drinking to each other in token 
of Friendship, 157 
Greenwich East, 48 
Guggishurne, 139 
Guild, 139—see Trinity 
Dissolution of, 162 
Possessions of, 168 
Ditto, compared with the present 
quantity of Land, 172 


Guild-Hall, 149,152, 161 
its History, 283 
Gunpowder Plot, 128 
Gunthorpe, 45, 56 

Sluice, 60, 62, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72,78 
Guyhirn, 21,22, 26, 33, 37, 39, 40, 41, 
61,62, 121,201 
Cross, 33, 37 
Ferry, 69, 395 
account of, 460 

severe Engagement there between a 
Saxon King and an Abbot of Ely, 462 
Plague commenced there, 201 
Gyrvii, Inhabitants of the Low Country 
so called, 6, 85, 88 

Haddenham, Ovin’s Cross found there, 89 
Village of, 92 
Hagbech Hall, 503, 513 
Demolition of, 514 
Halfpence coined, 385 
Haling on North Bank prevented, 65 
Hastings, Battle of, 117 
Victory of, 93 
Hatfield, 91 
Hereford, 135 

Hemp and Flax, early cultivation of, 548 
Heptarchy, 13, 16 

Here ward’s Valour and Renown, 94—96 
Hermen Way, 112 

Hermitage in Parish of Haddenham, 
where Ouse enters Cambridgeshire, 
20, 21 
Sluice at, 51 
Hertford, 4 

Hide of Land, quantity, 119 
High Bailiff—see Bailiff Chief 
High Fen—'see Wisbech High Fen 
High Street, state of, 368 
High Treason, Thurloe accused of, 385 
High Sheriffs—see Sheriffs 
Hill’s Cut, 61 
Hobhouse, 37, 381 
violent Flood there, 381 


6 88 


INDEX 


Holbeacli, 6 
Honey Farm, 90 

quantity of Acres it contains, 575 
Horns, reason why Moses is sometimes 
represented with, 45.5 
Horses, 500 unbroke kept by Beaupre 
Bell, 540 

1500 kept by Duke of Ancaster, 540 
Ilorse-sboe, 36 

Sluice at, 38, 40, 45, 69, 71, 72, 74, 

. 220 

Sluice built, 383 
Horsey Bridge, 21, 39, 573 
Hospital at Wisbech dedicated to Saint 
John the Baptist, 138 
Hostiliarius, or Steward of the Hall, 141 
Hundred Feet—see Bedford River 
Humane Society, account of, 329 
Huntingdon, 41, 62 
Hydrophobia, 642 
its Symptoms, 642 
Hygre, or JEger, 122 

Ice Flood or Dams, description of, 395 
the last important one in 1813, 396 
Iceni inhabited Norfolk, Suffolk, Cam¬ 
bridgeshire, &c. 3 

a powerful People who attacked the 
Roman Settlements, 3 
not noticed after the Romans left 
Britain, 4 

Jesus College founded by Bishop Alcock, 
127 

Jews, number of, 345 
Ikenild Street, 4, 112 
Interments, various Opinions when first 
took place in Churches, 258 
of ancient Kings, 579 
Implements in Town-Hall Chamber, 195 
Imports into Wisbech, 312, 386 
Improving the Town, Act for, 371 
Improvement of Waldersea Bank, 374 
Independent Chapel, 338, 339 


India, Rt. Hon. Lord William Cavendish 
Bentinck appointed Governor-Gene¬ 
ral of, 635 

Injunctions obtained from Lord Chan¬ 
cellor to restrain certain Works at 
Kinderley’s Cut, 62 
Inns in Wisbech, 352 
Inundation of North Level, 64 

improved Drainage, a security there¬ 
from, 82 

at Wisbech, 379, 381, 383, 384, 385 
at Walton, memorial of, 613 
Jobson Dr. his munificent Charities, 248 
his Endowment of intended Chapel, 

255 

requested to sit for his Portrait, 249 
John’s, Saint, Eau, 51 
Johnsonians, 340 

Iron Suits of Clothes, three worn out by 
St. Goderick, 623 
Islington, 602 
I slip, Town of, 54 
Italy, 611 

Jubilee on account of his Majesty Geo. 
III. completing the 50th Year of his 
Reign, 396 

Ketton, Town of, 54 
Keky’s Mill, 37 
Kentoun’s Corner, 37 
Kets Cabin, 112 

Kett’s Rebellion in Norfolk, 189 
Ketyll John, Bailiff, being the first ap¬ 
pointed, 151 
Kilhus, 245, 258, 461 
Kimmerians, 2 

Kinderley’s Cut, 69, 75,77, 79, 80, 653 
when first made, 388 
King’s Creek, 60 

said to be the ancient Outfall of Wis¬ 
bech, 60 

King’s or Town-Bailiff’s Gift of ^£3, 15 s, 
by the Charter, 184,188 


INDEX. 


689 


King’s or Town-Bailiff’s Gift first men¬ 
tioned amongst the Corporate pro¬ 
ceedings, 217 
Knar Lake, 65 

Knolling of the Bell, Orders for, 211 
Lancashire, 3 

Land-Tax, when first established, 366 
made perpetual, 367 
Sum charged on Wisbech, 367 
Lands next Sea the highest, 80 
Lark, alias Bum River, Petition to make 
it navigable, 385 
Leases, Calendar of, 194 
Lepers, House of, at the boundary be¬ 
tween Wisbech and Elm, 139, 379, 
493 

Leprosy, Disease nearly vanished from 
Europe, 494 

Letters Patent of King Edward VI., 
Tenor of, 194 

Letter of Queen Elizabeth to Bishop 
Heton, 114 

of Bishop Cox to his Tenants at Dod- 
dington and March, 191 
another, 192 

of Oliver Cromwell to Mrs. St. John, 227 
Level, (see also Great Level) higher 
than in ancient times, 17 
in fruitful Condition, 27 
Inquiry how drowned, 17 
Level, Middle—see Middle Level 
South—see South ditto 
North—see North ditto 
Levels, Act for draining the, 47 
Leverington, 32, 34, 36, 40, 73, 92, 258 
Account of, 463 

Limits of the Isle set out by Abbot 
Brithnod, 92 
Lincoln, City of, 64, 112 
Lincolnshire, 70, 71, 75, 79 
Literary Society established at Wisbech, 
349, 389 


Littleport, 85, 92" 

Riots there, 398, 399 
Littleport Chayre, 20, 22, 24, 25,38,56 
Cut from thence to turn the course of 
the Ouse to Lynn instead of Wisbech, 
22, 24 

Effects of New Cut, 28 
Local Militia, 393, 394 
London, 94, 102,142,144,153,368,371 
Long Sutton, 67 
Longevity of the Abbots, 356 
Longthorpe, 131 

Loyalty of the Town of Wisbech, 396 
Lutton, 67 
Leam, 60 

Lynn, 34, 53,55, 56, 57, 60,70,135,221 
Haven six poles wide, 22, 23, 25, 26, 
29 

Lynn Law, 44, 45, 46, 529 
Merchants complain of the effects of 
Denver Sluice, 51 
the Harbour, 56, 58 

Macadamized Roads, 376 
Magdalen, Town of, 21 
Mahometans, number of, 345 
Mails in Winter formerly brought to 
to Wisbech by a Boat, 374 
Time of leaving Wisbech, 351 
Coaches, Ground they run over in a 
Night, 649 

Majesty, when term first used, 165 
Malmesbury, 98 
Manea, 21, 45, 54, 92 
History of, 599 

Manors, what legally considered as such, 
576 

those only legal ones which have ex¬ 
isted before the Statute ‘ Quia Emp- 
‘ tores/ 576 
Manufactures, 353 

March, 29, 32, 35, 39, 54, 57, 62, 92, 
192 


690 


INDEX 


March, Lands called Pavy’s in, 32 
Liver, 42 

Yeomanry Cavalry, 399 
History of, 586 
the Guild-Hall, 588 
the Guild-Hall Estate, 595 
March Chain, 588 
Maid Lode, 35 

Margaret Professorship of Divinity at 
Cambridge, Rectory of Terrington 
attached to, 636 

Market, Old, of Wisbech, first mention 
of, 33 
Place, 36 
Account of, 295 
Stede, 194 

Markets kept by Anglo-Saxons on a 
Sunday, 296 

used formerly to be kept in Church¬ 
yards, 266 

Market Deeping, Town of, 22 
Marsh Miasma, 356 
Marshland, 24, 25, 35, 55, 58, 60 
Drowned, 332 

Smeeth, inclosure of, 602, 644 
Marston Moor, disastrous Engagement 
on, 222 

Mass, Hours of, 156,157, 158 
Meadow-gate Lane, 40 acres of Land 
in let for X 3*, 159 
Meals, ancient times of, 199, 200 
Medes, 1 

Medeliamstead, (now Peterborough) 85, 
113 

Abbey destroyed by the Danes, 91, 
. 571 

Medway, River, 647 
Meetings of Ten Men, object of, 195 
Style of, 211 
again altered, 217, 218 
Mepal, Town of, 21, 92 
Mercian Kingdom, 16 
Metaris iEstuarium, 114 


Methodists, 337 
Number of, 333 
Middle Level, 52—59 
Mildenliall River, 20, 21, 45, 52 
Militia—see Local 
Minden, Battle of, 546 
Moat-Hall in Wisbech Castle, 129 
Moat of Mr. Underwood at Whittlesea, 
19 

Mob—see Riots 
Monastery of Peterborough, 85 
the first in the World, 85 
Monastery of Ely—see Ely 
Monasteries, indebted to them for many 
useful Arts, 90 
were places for Education, 90 
Plundered, 100 

Dissolution, Act passed for, 160 
Monks, Benedictine, their Rules, 86— 
88 

at Ely reduced from 70 to 40, 99 
Monuments in the Church, 258—269 
Moor matted Vegetables, 564 
Mornspeclie, what, 151 
Morton’s Learn, 38, 39, 40, 52, 60, 61, 
65, 562 
Wash, 73 

Mourning for the Princess Charlotte of 
Wales, 401 

for Queen Charlotte, 402 
for George III. 402 
Mottos on Arms, when used in England, 

491 

the Trafford’s one of the most ancient 
and very curious, 491 
Mullicoat Priory, 531 
Murrow, 166 

Hamlet, description of, 460. 

Museum, British, 528 
Music, some account of, 438 

Nar River, 22 
Nasborough, Tow r n of, 113 


INDEX. 


691 


Needham Hall, Anecdote of Oliver 
Cromwell, 220, 507 
Description of, 505 
Nene, rise and course of, 21 

Fall at Low Water from Peterborough 
Bridge to Crab-hole, 69 
River, 22, 23, 25, 26, 39, 40, 54, 55, 
59, 61, 68, 70, 71, 72, 74, 92, 633 
Packet, 351 
Outfall Act, 410, 652 
Nero made Co-heir by Prasutagus of his 
Dominions in Britain, 3 
Netherlands, 635 
News Room, account of, 299 

numbers of Newspapers published in 
England and Wales, 649 
in Scotland, 649 

Newton, Town of, 36, 73, 92, 258 
History of, 479 

Present of Communion Plate by Ben¬ 
jamin, Bishop of Ely, 481 
Chapel founded there by Sir John 
Colvile, 486 

Newton and Tid Act, 66 

New Market of Wisbech mentioned, 153 

Nicholas Pope, Taxation of, 246 

Norfolk, 70, 71, 75, 79 

Norman Invasion, 93 

Normandy, 95 

Chronicles, with List of noble Cap¬ 
tains and Gentlemen who came over 
with William, 514—520 
North Bank, great Breach in, 64 
Expense of reparation, 64 
Breach, 388 

North Level, 40,52, 53, 59, 70, 72 
Commissioners, 63, 64 
Proprietors undertake Kinderley’s Cut 
and advance ,£ 10,000. 66, 77 
undertake completion of Works to 
Crab-hole, 78, 79 
Act, 63 


North Seas, 34 
Northampton, 41, 121 
Norwood Common, 192 
Nova Scotia, 646 

Nut Trees found at the depth of sixteen 
feet on setting down a Sluice near 
Magdalen Bridge, 15 

Oats, export of, 313, 386 
Object of Meeting of the Ten Men on 
the first appointment under the Char¬ 
ter, 195 

Officers of Bedford Level Corporation, 83 
Oil, export of, 386 

Mills, seven in the Town, 387 
Old Eau, 38 

Organs, when first brought into this 
country, 253 

magnificent one at Haarlem, 253 
Orphans’ Stock entrusted to the Ten 
Men, 211 

Ortlies, Battle of, 648 
Oundle, 54 

Ouse River, 40, 45, 53, 59 
Ouse, Great, rises at Brackley, descends 
by Huntingdon, enters Cambridge¬ 
shire at the Hermitage, 20, 22 
passes through ten Counties, 22 
by neglect of the Channel through 
Wisbech, became the receptacle for 
conveying the Waters of the Level 
to Sea by Lynn, 26 
the Waters diverted from Wisbech by 
making a New Cut at Littleport 
Chayre, 24, 26, 28, 29 
Ouse Parva, or Brandon River, 22,23, 26 
Outfall, Original, at Wisbech, 20, 22 
Decay of, 22, 27, 28 
Effect of Cut at Littleport Chayre, 28 
by means of the New Channel will be 
improved, and the Drainage of the 
North Level more secure, 81 


692 


INDEX. 


Outwell, Sea Banks from thence to Wis¬ 
bech testify the ancient Outfall of the 
Ouse to have been at Wisbech, 24 
Town of, 35, 54, 63, 92 
History of, 531 
Benefactions, 537 

Overseers of the Poor not appointed 
until 27th Henry VIII. 212 
their office and duty under 43d Eliz¬ 
abeth, 212, 213 

Ovin’s Cross a curious antiquity, 89 
Owyhee, Island of, 444, 446 
Ox and Sheep, computed value of, 120 
Oxford, 97, 135 
Oxfordshire, 5 

Packet from Wisbech to Peterborough, 
351 

Pagans, number of, 345 
Painting of Moses and Aaron in Wis¬ 
bech St. Mary’s Church, 455 
why represented with Horns, 455 
Parliamentary Forces in King Charles’ 
time near Wisbech, 221 
Parson of Wisbech ought to repair a 
certain Sewer, 33 
Parson Drove, 73 
Account of, 472 
the Decree, 473—475 
Pavement, first order on record, 368 
improved ditto, 371 
Peakirk Drove, 113, 453, 462 
Drain, 59 

Peasantry, an honest, their Country’s 
Pride, 648 

Peterborough, 21,34,40,53, 54, 61,64, 
65, 69, 72, 73, 82, 85,, 121, 571 
called Burgh, 85 
Persians, 1 
Peyton Hall, 520 

Family, various branches of, inter¬ 
marriages and important services, 
515—530 


Peyton Pedigree, 528 
Picture of King Edward VI. purchased, 
now hanging in the Town Hall, 212 
Pie Powder, Court of, why so called, 586 
Piggs Drove Cross, 33 
Plague breaks out at Guyhirn, 201 
its terrific qualities, 205 
extends to Wisbech, 206 
proceedings thereupon, 207—210,382 
Plant Water, 21, 39 
Plants, List of, growing in the County, 
448 

Plate presented to Air. Girdlestone, 
106, 107 

to Dr. Hardwicke, 375 
Poetry of Anglo-Saxons distinguished 
by its spirit, 92 

Fragment on the death of Duke Brith- 
noth, 92 

Dyer’s Fleece, 564 

Polyglot Bible, Walton’s, published by 
subscription, 239 

Police of the Town of Wisbech, 352 
Pomentin Fens, a rich Country, but by 
neglect were re-stagnated, yet again 
drained, 17 

Poor, Maintenance of, 155 

anciently an ecclesiastical concern, 155 
Poor to be set at a table and served with 
with the meat left, 155 
Statutes providing for their Relief, 
212, 213 

Poor-House erected, 387 
Practice of having Wages of Labour 
made up out of Poor-Rates very im¬ 
politic, 648 

Pope, Allegiance thrown off, 159 
Popery, 380 

Popery established for a season under 
Queen Alary, 380 \ v 

Popliam Lode, 25 
Popham’s Eau, 54 


INDEX. 


693 


Population of Wisbech, 355,385, 389 
of the Hundreds in the Isle of Ely, 450 
Port of Wisbech, account of, 301—312 
gross Receipt and Expenditure of 
Duties, 311 

Portsand, Great, 64, 72, 77, 79 
Little, 78, 79 
Post Office, 351 

Pound, what equal to at present time, 120 
Presbyterians, 341 

Pretended Act for Drainage of the Level 
in Cromwell’s time, 46 
Prickwillow, 20 

Priest’s Houses—see Littleport Chayre, 
24, 56 

Primary Visitation — see Recognition 
Money 

Priory of Mullicourt, 531 
Gilbertines, 545 
Marmound, 545 

Proclamation of George IV. 402 
Ceremonies attending the, 403 
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
Parts, 346 

Protestants, number of, 345 
Public Charities—see Charities 
Purveyance, Statute of, 199 

Quakers’ Burial Ground at Upwell—see 
Friends, 550 

Races at Wisbech, 357 

Baretti’s account of, 357—366 
Rag well, 113 
Ramsey Mere, 21, 39, 62 
Ramsey, 34, 54 

Abbey destroyed by the Danes, 91 
Ramsgate, 32 

Rebellion of 1745, and Archbishop 
Herring’s Speech, 431—434 
Rebeck and Littleport Chayre, 23, 24 
Rebus usual by way of transmitting 
Names of Benefactors, 543 


Receiver of Bedford Level Corporation, 
53 

Recognition Money to the Bishop, first 
payment of, 159 

Refugees, French, Colony of at Tlior- 
ney, 561 

Register of Births and Burials from 
1558 to 1826, 272—276 
a remarkable occurrence of four Child¬ 
ren at one Birth, 276 
Registrar of the Bedford Level Corpo¬ 
ration, 53 

Rejoicing on account of Prince Charles’ 
return, 384 

on accession of Charles I. 384 
on restoration of Charles II. 224 
Religious Houses possessed great pro¬ 
perty in the Level, 27 
Establishment, 335 

Representative in Parliament, 224, 384 
return of one made by the Town of 
Wisbech in Cromwell’s Parliament, 
227 

Requests, Court of, 348 
Retreat of the Sea, 81 
Revenues of the Abbey of Ely, 98 
Rialto, 371 

Riot at Wisbech on account of scarcity 
of provisions, 387—390 
Riots at Littleport and Ely—see Little¬ 
port Riots, 398 

River confined, Channel must grind the 
deepest, 82 

Rivers, rise and course of, passing through 
the Level, 20 
Roebuck—see Antlers, 58 
Roll of Battel Abbey—see Battel Abbey 
Romans invade Britain, 2 

their Empire expired in Britain, 4 
found the Level a fruitful Soil, 10 
destroyed the Woods as affording 
Shelter to the Natives, 10 


2 z 2 


694 


INDEX. 


Romans embanked the Country, 10 
the Urns and Coins found shew that 
they settled in this part, 11 
embanked the Country too early, 12 
Bricks found at Walpole, 11 
Antiquities, 112 
Banks, 112 
Castles, 123 

Bricks found at Wisbech, 370 
Coins found at Newton, 487 
at Needham Hall, 506 
at Elm, 507, 508 
at Welney, 553 
at Thorney, 560 
at Chatteris, 578 
at Doddington, 585 
at March, 589 

Lamps found at Whittlesea, 569 
Stations, 111 
Ways or Roads, 112 
Roman Catholics, number of, 345 
Romney Marsh, 48 

Rood-Loft, an ancient Gallery at the 
East end of Churches, 242 
Rose and Crown Inn, 350, 352 
Royston, 4 

Rummer’s Mill, 69, 71, 72 
Russia, 394 

Sale of Church Lands, 223 

Salt, Rent of, payable in Marshland, 608 

Salt Hills, 6 

Saltash, 6 

Salter’s-Lode, 6, 40, 42, 54, 56, 62, 537 
Saltfleet, 6 
Sam’s Cut, 45 

Sands to be reclaimed to be proportioned 
according to advantages received, 82 
Sandwich Islands, the Natives renounce 
Idolatry, 444 

King and Queen visit England, 444 
the King places himself and his Do¬ 
minions under British protection, 444, 
445 


Savings Bank, account of, 328 
Saxons, 5, 115, 123, 531, 602 
land in the Isle of Tlianet, 5 
established seven Kingdoms, 5 
formed a permanent Settlement in 
Britain, 13 

seized on Cambridgeshire, &c. 13 
invited by Fertility of Soil, 17 
Evidence of their seating themselves 
in this Country, &c.by King William's 
Survey, 17 

destroyed the remains of Roman Civi¬ 
lization in Britain, 234 
Scabini, or Skyvens, 141, 143, 147, 152 
Scavenger, first appointment of, 194 
Scarcity, 379, 336, 387, 389 
School for Boys, account of, 327 
for Girls, 328 

Schoolmaster, 163, 184, 188, 196 
first mention of, 156 
Scotland, 89 
Scots Army, 380 
Scriptures, 1 
Scythia, 579 

Sea, I,and next to, the highest, 80 
continues to retreat on the Coast, 81 
Seal, Common, first used, 153, 161 
introduction of, 153 

Seal, Great, of England, when first used, 

153 

Sedalia, or Stone Stalls in Churches, 
wherefore constructed, 622 
Seminaries, 350 

Serjeant at Mace of the Bedford Level 
Corporation, 53 
Sessions, 105, 352 
Setch River, 22 

Sewers, neglect of, cause of the Decay 

of the original Outfall, 22 

% 

caused Outfall to silt up, 28 
ancient proceedings of Commissioners 
of, 30—32 

Parson of Wisbech ought to repair a 
certain one, 33 


INDEX 


695 


Sheep and Ox, computed value of, 120 
-Sheppy, Isle of, 90 

Sheriffs whose Residences were near 
Wisbech, List of, from 1509 to 1826, 
447 

Ship Lane, 133, 202 
Shire-Hall, account of, 295 
Drain, 45, 60 
Gowt, 59 

Shrewsnest Point, 21, 29, 38, 39 
Silures, Tribe of, 3 
Silver Chalice, 150 
price per ounce, 188 
Singleholt, 21 

Sir, Title of, prefixed to Clergymen to 
distinguish them from Masters of 
Arts, 165 
Skate’s Corner, 71 
Skirbeck, 115 

on setting down a Sluice there, a 
Smith’s Forge found at the depth of 
sixteen feet, 16 

Skreens, near Chelmsford, residence of 
Mr. Bramstone, 258 
Stourbridge Fair, 152 
Sluice at the Horse-shoe, 38 
Smeeth belonging to Marshland very 
fertile, 644 

inclosed in the year 1786, 602, 644 
Smith’s Learn, 39, 61, 62, 121 
Society for promoting Christian Know¬ 
ledge, 342 
Socinians, 342 
Socmen, who, 120 
Soham, 92 

Causeway, 100 
Somersham, 574 
South Eau, 22, 32, 38, 59 
South Level, 52, 53, 57, 59 
South Holland, 69, 70, 72, 77, 78, 79 
Spalding, 22,39, 112, 139, 541 
Antiquarian Society, its Members, 541 
an ancient Fort there, 112 


Spaldwicke, 99 

Special Assizes at Ely on account of Lit- 
tleport Riots, 400 

Speech of Archbishop Herring in the 
Rebellion of 1745, 431—434 
Spittal Cross, 37, 139 
St. German’s, 54, 57 
St. Paul’s, Covent Garden, 46 
St. Martin’s in the Fields, 46 
St. Ives, 200, 382 
St. John’s Eau, 51 
St. Mark’s, at Venice, 611 
Stagnation of Waters, 18 
Stamford, 221 

Standground, 21, 34, 39, 40, 62 
Sluice, 62 

Steam employed in Drainage, 108 
Boats on all navigable Rivers, 649 
original Invention, by whom, 649 
Steward of the Hall under the Guild as¬ 
sisted to entertain strangers, 141 
Style, alteration in the, 50 
Stoke River, 22 
Stone Cross, 37 

Storm, violent one at Wisbech, 137,138, 
378, 379, 380, 381 
violent one in 1613, 263, 383 
Stow, 21 
Stretham, 92 
Mere, 20, 21 
Streets, cleaning the, 201 
former State of, 367 

Stukeley Dr. his Opinion of the Ancient 
State of the Country, 8 
Stuntney, 85, 92 

Subscriptions for supplying Troops with 
extra Clothing, 389 
for aiding Government in prosecuting 
the War, 395 
Suffolk, 70 

Sunday School, account of, 329 
Superstition of the times exemplified in 
the Will of Robert Smith, 657 


696 


INDEX. 


Surveyor-General of Bedford Level Cor¬ 
poration, 53 

Suspension Bridge at Welney, descrip¬ 
tion of, 552 

Sutton in the Isle, 21, 92 
Sutton Marsh, GO 

Wash, G8, 69, 70, 633, 653 
Bridge across, 75—79 
Act for constructing Bridge, 633, 634 
Sutton St. Edmund’s, 73, 78, 79 
St. James, 73, 78, 79 
Common, 190, 191 
Swan Marks, 452 
protection as Royal Property, 453 
Swanery, 571 

Swine going on Banks to be rung, 32 
Sw’inesliead Abbey, 136 
Syrians, 1 

Tabula Eliensis, 97 
Tanais, 579 

Tapers, Wax, assize of, 149, 157 
Taxation of Pope Nicholas, 246 
Tea, antiquity of, 494 
Terrington, 602, 608 
History of, 634 
Manors, 635 

Margaret Professorship at Cambridge 
attached to the Rectory, 636 
its noble Church, 636—640 
the Chapel, 643 
Thames, 5, 94 
Thanet, Isle of, 90 
Theatre, 350 
Thetford in the Isle, 92 
Tholomas Drove, account of, 460 
Thorney a Paradise for beauty of Coun¬ 
try, 19 
Abbot of, 32 

Abbey destroyed by the Danes, 91 

Town of, 92 

History of, 559 

the Abbey, 559 

Bar, 21 

Divine Service in French there, 561 


Thorney Red Book, 25 
Dyke, 60 
Thornliaugh, 54 
Thrapstone, 54 
Tid and New'ton Act, 66 
Tid St. Mary’s, 67,73, 78, 79 
St. Giles, 92, 258 
History of, 487 

Tides flow up to Wisbech at new and 
full Moon, rise eight feet, 122 
contribute to the Health of the In¬ 
habitants, 122 

Tiles, flat glazed, found in the Church 
pavement, 251, 252 
Tilney, 602 

Timber Market, 31, 253 
why so called, 203 
Roman Bricks found there, 370 
one of the ancient Wards, 202 
Tithes, 155 

Toasts, origin of the term, 157 
Grecian custom, 157 
Tokens—see Halfpence 
Toll, right of, at Thorney voluntarily sur¬ 
rendered up by Duke of Bedford, 376 
Tolling of the Bell, 211 
Tong’s Drain, 51 
Tower-House at Guyliirn, 37 
Tower of Bishop Morton, 40, 462 
Town-Bailiff, 193, 1 94 

to buy provision for the Bishop at the 
Castle, 130 

Gift of <£ 3 . 15s. 184, 188 
first appointment of, 151 
List of, from Charter of Edward VI. 
to the present time, 411—418 
Townley Castle, Ramsgate, 32, 614 
Towton, Battle of, 150 
Trade, decay of, 73, 387 
Trafford, Family of, 489 
Seat at Dun ton Hall, 490 
their Arms and Motto, ‘ Now thus,’ 
antiquity of, 491 

Trees found in various parts, some taken 
down for military purposes, 18 
some Indigene of the Soil, 18 


INDEX. 


697 


Tring, 4 

Trinity Guild, establishment of, 140,379 
Accounts, 141—144 
Catalogue of Articles belonging to, 
145,146 

lesser Guilds in the Town, 150 
account of splendid Dinner, 150 
Times of Mass, 154 
Dissolution of, 162 
Possessions of, 163 
Trokenholt, 32, 113, 476, 477 
Tudenham Hall, 379, 460 
Tumuli at Elm, 507 
at Chatteris, 577, 578 
for what supposed purposes raised, 579 
Turf Act, 52 

Turf and Peat to be sent to London for 
Fuel, 384 

Turnpike Roads, 372 

first Act obtained for Chatteris Road, 
373, 388 

ditto for Thomey, 375 
Right of Toll atThorney voluntarily sur¬ 
rendered up by Duke of Bedford, 376 
proposed Scheme for a Road, to cross 
by a Bridge at Guyliirn into the Lon¬ 
don Road, 395 
Plan withdrawn, 396 
Tyd Gowt, 36, 73 
Marsh, 60, 66 

St. Giles, the Northern Extremity of 
the Isle of Ely, 92 

Ugg Mere, 21, 62 

Undertaking of the Drainage of the 
Great Level, by whom first attempted, 
43 

King James became Adventurer, 43 
Sir Cornelius Vermuyden attempted, 
but the Country averse to him as a 
Foreigner, 43 
by the Earl of Bedford, 44 
Expense to the Family, 46 
Undertaking of certain Works to form a 
New Cut to Crab-hole, 78, 79 


Unitarians, 342 

Upware the Southern Extremity of the 
Isle of Ely, 92 
Upwell, 54, 92 
History of, 541 
Waters of, 24, 29, 35 
Yeomanry Cavalry, 398 
Usage, ancient, respecting the Dower of 
Women in the Hundred of Wisbech, 
216 

Usage, free, in navigating Kinderley’s 
Cut, 67 

Valuation of the Houses and Lands 
throughout the Parish of Wisbech, 398 
Value, annual of the Trinity possessions, 
168, 179 

Vaux, Manor of, 504 
Venetian appearance of Wisbech Bridge, 
371 

Venice, 611 

Vermuyden Sir Cornelius, his Contract 
for draining the Level, 43 
the Country averse to him as a Fo¬ 
reigner, 43 

Suit made to Francis, Earl of Bedford, 
to undertake the Work, 43, 44 
Vermuyden’s Drain, 573, 574 
Vessels of 100 Tons burthen come up 
to Wisbech, 121 

Vicar, first occurrence of the name of, 152 
Vicar and Schoolmaster meet the Inhab¬ 
itants to hear and settle disputes, 195 
Vicars, List of, 270 
Villeins, who, 119 

formed the most numerous rank in 
society, 119 

Village Dispensary atTerrington, 641,642 
Voluntary Subscription to aid Govern¬ 
ment in prosecuting the War, 395 
Volunteer Corps raised, 392 
Resolution of Thanks by the House of 
Commons for their patriotic example 
and exertions, 393 


698 


INDEX 


Waldersea, 39, 42, 73, 508 
]3ank, 373 

Surface widened and covered with 
Gravel, former danger removed, 374 
Walpole, Urns found there, 11 

possessed by Church of Ely before 
time of Edward the Confessor, 17 
St. Goderick born there, 17 
Manor formerly vested in See of Ely, 
114, 602, 608 

Walpole St. Peter’s, History of, 615 
eight Manors in, 615—619 
Residence of the Walpole Family, af¬ 
terwards Earls of Orford, 617 
Casto Dyke, now Wisbech Turnpike, 
618 

Rule of Tithing there, 620 
Vicars, 625 
Population, 626 
Chapels, 629 

Walpole St. Andrew’s, History of, 626 
Mode of presenting to St. Peter’s and 
St. Andrew’s in Medieties, 626 
Vicars, 628 
Population, 628 

various Chapels and Chantries in, 629 
Charities in the two parishes 630—632 
Walton West, 124, 602 
History of, 608 
Walsoken, History of, 602 
New, 356, 607 

Wards, appointment of, in the Town of 
Wisbech, 201 

division of the Town into ten, 202,203 
repeated, 212, 382 

Warp, deposit and accumulation of, 7 
Warwick, 96 

Water, boring for at Welney, 558 
Inhabitants of Low Countries chiefly 
dependant on Cisterns and Sockage 
for supply, 558 
Waterloo, Victory of, 547 
Watling Street, 112 


Washes, 25, 136 
Waveney River, 115 
Wax Tapers, assize of, 149, 156, 157 
Wayte of the Town, 194 
Welches Dam, History of, 600 
Welle, Waters of, 25, 31, 32, 38, 124 
Well Creek, 40, 42, 45, 54, 62 
Welland River, 22 

rises at Sibertoft, 22, 52 
Welney, 20, 21, 29, 38, 54, 92 
History of, 550 
Suspension Bridge, 552 
the noble Charity at, 553 
boring for AVater there, 558 
Welsh call themselves Cymro&Kumeri.S 
their Language called Kumeraeg, 2 
Wentworth, 92 
West Water, 20, 21, 574 
AAYstmoreland, 3 
White Hall in \\ T isbech, 451 
AATiite Hart Inn, 282, 352 
AVhittlesey, on cutting of Moats, mowed 
Grass found at seven feet deep, 19 
the Mere, 21, 39, 45, 62, 573 
History of, 570 
the Town, 92 
Dyke, 62, 573 
History of the Town, 565 
Yeomanry Cavalry, 399 
AVhymey Dyke, 36 
Witcham, 92 
Witchford, 92 
Wilburton, 92 
Wimblington, 54 
History of, 598 
AA’inchester, 91, 98, 135, 153 
Will of Robert Smith, a picture of the 
Superstition of the times, 657 
Windmills employed to raise the A\ r ater 
and deliver it into the Drains, 108 
substitution of Steam Power, 103 
when introduced into England, 200 


INDEX. 


Wisbech the most considerable place in 
the Isle, 6 

the Grand Outfall for the Waters 
passing through the Level, 20, 21, 22 
Cause leading to its decay, 22—28 
the New Cut at Littleport Cliayre the 
means of such Decay, 28, 29 
neglected state of the Rivers and 
Drains, and proceedings of Sewers, 
30—39 

Wisbech, 31, 33, 38,40, 53, 67, 75,151 
Alteration in the Course of the 
Waters, 39, 40 

River, scouring out of the, 16, 39 
altering the Channel by cutting through 
Marshland, 55. 

known by no other Name than the 
‘ Great River,’ 63 
Waters passing through, 60, 61, 68 
Outfall bad, 65 

New Course for the Waters, 71 

Corporation secure the free usage of 

the Cut, 67 

the North Side, 73 

the Hundred, 78, 79 

the Trade, 74 

undertake to advance ^30,000., to 
be raised by a Tax of Sixpence per 
Ton on all Imports and Exports, 78 
Corporation and Merchants, their Dis¬ 
cussion on the new Channel by Crab- 
hole, 70 

consider it injurious, 70 

new Line proposed, 71 

Expense of suggested Improvements, 

72 

Protest entered against proceeding 
with the Works, 73 
Town views with anxiety the Bridge 
and Embankment as a separate Mea¬ 
sure, 75, 76 

the Outfall, 62, 63, 65, 77, 79 
improved by the wet Season, 73 


699 

Wisbech, expected Improvement in the 
Navigation of the River, 79, 82 
Proposal to.make a new Channel from 
end of Kinderley’s Cut to Crab-hole, 
77 

Expense of prolonging it, 77 
Line of Drainage has received Sanc¬ 
tion of former Engineers, 81 
the Castle, 25, 31, 97, 102 
its History, 123—128 
Governors of the Castle, 130 
Act of Parliament to enable Castle 
Premises to be sold, 131 
sold to Mr. Medworth, 132, 389 
sold to Secretary Thurloe during the 
Commonwealth, 131, 224 
re-built from a Design of Inigo Jones, 
131,385 

the Fen Dyke, 32, 33, 166, 379 
High Fen, 217, 247 

-inclosed, 385 

the Bridge, 33, 38, 39, 41, 69, 200, 
382, 384 

History of its Building, Repairs, &c., 
from time to time, 277—283 
the Stone one erected, 282, 388 
a Sluice erected at the Horse-shoe, 
36, 45 

Landholders in the Old Market to 
make certain Repairs, 33 
Pavement of the New Market raised 
from Bank in Crabbe Marsh, 36 
Town visited by King John, 135 
by Edward IV. 380 
by Charles I. 380 

the Corporation opposed the Tax on 
Vessels for navigating Kinderley’s 
Cut, 66 

the ancient and present State of the 
Town, 111 

its Etymology, 115, 116 
compared to a Dutch Town, 12.2. 



r<3 


700 


tyniG 

4 X e- f % 

J/C 

INDEX. 


Wisbech, the Crescent built, 132, 133, 
135 

a Charter for a Fair of 20 Days, 138 
divided into Wards, 202, 203 
returned Secretary Thurloe their Re¬ 
presentative in Parliament, 226 
the Revenues, 230 
Lighting and Watching, 353 
the Fairs, 354 

garrisoned for the Parliament, 384 
Barton, 116, 134 
the Capital of the Fens, 650 
doubled in size, 650 
the enterprising Spirit there, 650 
the recent great Improvements, 651 
Wisbech St. Mary’s, History of, 451 


Witham River, 115 
Women, ancient usage of Dowry, 216 
Woods destroyed, how to be accounted 
for, 17, 18 

Wranglers at Cambridge, origin of tex. 

325 

Yaxley, 54 

Yeomanry Cavalry, 398, 399 
York and Lancaster, Houses of, 150,151 
Yorke Row, 126, 368 
Yorkshire, 3,505 

Privilege of returning Four Members 

first exercised, 506 

Slabs, Town paved with, 371. 


FINIS . 


PRINTED BY HENRY AND JOHN LEACH, 
HIGH STREET, WISBECH. 



Page 88 and Index, for Anna , Queen, read Anna, King, 

- 216, lines 9 and 15, for Heame’s , read I learned. 

- 239, (Note) for Jerr our, read Ferrour. 

•-- 252, for gland, read land. 

- 266, for Ickwich, read Fenwick. 

-- — for Bener, read Berrier. 

- 267, line 8, for Gann , read Young . 

- 289, (Note) for Burly, read Busby. 

- 349, (Note) for John Hancock, read Joseph Hancock. 

- 491, (Note) for Hearnes Ancient Curiosities , read 

Hearne's Curious Discourses. 

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